Generations of Care: A Family's Ties to Texas Health Stephenville

Terrell family and president during a recent celebration in honor of the hospital’s 100^th anniversary. Barbara Terrell (green blouse, far left), Kimberley Singleton (hidden person in reddish striped shirt in the back), Penny Terrell Elliott (blue shirt), Molly Elliott (white and blue shirt), Alisa Terrell Starbird (olive jacket), Claudia Eisenmann (president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville – in blue jacket) and James Clark Terrell III (blue shirt, far right).

STEPHENVILLE TEXAS - As Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary this month, one local family offers a unique window into the hospital's century-long history.

The Terrell family's connection to the hospital dates back to 1926, when J.C. Terrell, M.D., and his wife, Ellen Willard Terrell, a registered nurse, helped establish the original 11-room Stephenville Hospital. Over the decades, multiple generations of the family followed, including physicians, nurses and community leaders who helped shape healthcare in Erath County.

Today, their granddaughter, Alisa Terrell Starbird, continues that legacy through her service on a Texas Health community leadership council.