History of UCVH
In 1965, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital Association formed as a non profit organization. Towns that comprised the organization were Canaan, Lemington, Bloomfield and Brunswick, Vermont, Stewartstown, Clarksville, Colebrook, Columbia, Stratford and Errol, NH Wilson Mills was the only town represented from the state of Maine. Through efforts of the organization, a Federal Grant from both the Economic Development Administration and the New England Regional Commission was obtained and provided 80% of the funds to construct a new $1,414,000.00 hospital in Colebrook
In August of 1970, the hospital opened a 30-bed hospital. The hospital was designed to provide complete primary care for the North East Kingdom. In 1983 the hospital expanded and built the Marjorie A. Parsons wing which houses the laboratory and radiology services.
The founding father of Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
Dr. William H. Gifford was born in Concord, NH on May 5, 1914, the son of William James and Ellen (Smith) Gifford. He was a graduate of Concord High School in 1932 and U.N.H. in 1935. In 1940, he received his M.D. from McGill University. He served as an intern at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1940-41. In 1941 he entered the Armed Services, from which he was discharged with the rank of Lt. Col. M.C. in 1946. In that year he began his practice in Colebrook, where he entered into numerous community activities with his wife, Dr. Marjorie Parsons. Dr. Gifford was active in the establishment of the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and has represented his community and profession at both the state and national level. He retired in 1989.