(BLOUNTSTOWN, Fla., Monday, August 18, 2025) – Calhoun Liberty Hospital (CLH) marked a historic milestone on August 17, 2025, with the opening of its new 50,000-square-foot facility and the welcoming of its very first patient.
Eighty-eight-year-old Lonnie Nissley, a lifelong resident of Calhoun County, was the last patient to be cared for in the original Calhoun Liberty Hospital, which had served the community since January 1961. While other inpatients were discharged over the weekend before the move, Mr. Nissley was the only patient transferred to the new facility. At 8:30 a.m. on August 17, he became the first patient admitted into the new hospital. Mr. Nissley is currently receiving care in the hospital’s short-term rehab program.
The Nissley family has a long history with the hospital. Lonnie and his wife, Alma, raised six children in Calhoun County. Alma recalls that her first two children were delivered in Dr. Grayson Snyder’s Blountstown doctor’s office – one before the hospital opened and one afterward, as the hospital was initially more costly. By 1963, when their third child arrived, all local doctors were delivering at the hospital, and Alma had the rest of their children there. “I remember there were two to a room, and my roommate had just given birth as well,” Alma said. She also fondly recalls that their grandson was born at CLH nearly 30 years ago.
Though CLH no longer offers obstetric services, it remains a critical access hospital, the only one within a 35-mile radius. As such, it continues to be an essential lifeline for families and individuals throughout the region, ensuring high-quality, vital healthcare is always within reach.
Over the years, the Nissleys have relied on the hospital for emergency care, lab work, and outpatient services. “Calhoun Liberty Hospital has always been there to care for our family,” Alma shared. “We never expected to be part of something like this, but it is very special.” The opening of this new facility marks the beginning of a new era in local healthcare. “Yesterday’s opening was the culmination of years of hard work and planning, and we could not have achieved it without our dedicated team,” said Emily Brown, CEO of Calhoun Liberty Hospital. “Most importantly, our commitment to caring for this community remains steadfast, and we look forward to serving our region in this new facility.”
The new hospital brings expanded services to the region, including:
- 24/7 Emergency Services with advanced equipment
- Private inpatient rooms & short-term rehab suites
- Comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (physical, occupational, cardiac, pulmonary)
- Expanded diagnostic services: X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, mammography, echocardiograms, DEXA scans, with MRI services launching later in the year
- A cafeteria accessible to the public
- Administrative space for 100+ employees
The Nissleys’ experience as the last patients in the old hospital and the first in the new one symbolizes both the rich history and bright future of healthcare in Calhoun and Liberty counties.
About Calhoun Liberty Hospital Calhoun Liberty Hospital (CLH) is a nonprofit, critical access hospital serving Calhoun and Liberty Counties in Florida. In partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Alliant Management Services, CLH is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care while expanding services to meet the region’s healthcare needs. For more information, visit CalhounLibertyHospital.com.