About Us
For 100+ Years, Our Not-for-Profit Hospital in Hollister, CA Has Served Compassionate Care
At Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, the first goal of our staff is to take care of San Benito County residents with exceptional care. Our healthcare system has been serving the community for more than a century, and in that time, our physicians, staff, and volunteers have made every effort to carry on the values our founder introduced in 1907, such as respect, compassion, and excellence.
Mission Statement: The San Benito Health Care District, also known as Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, is a public agency that serves as a responsive, comprehensive health care resource for its patients, physicians, and the health care consumers of the community.
Vision Statement: The San Benito Health Care District and is committed to meeting community health care needs with quality care in a safe and compassionate environment.
Our hospital is one of the few in California that is still locally governed, and our area’s elected Board of Directors protects this local status to ensure the healthcare needs of the community are fulfilled
Our History
When a 9-year-old Hollister child, Hazel Hawkins, died tragically in 1902, it created effects that are still being felt in our community over a century later. Little Hazel died from appendicitis, and Mr. T. S. Hawkins’ grand-daughter made sure the death of his “Little Sunshine” wouldn’t be completely in vain, as he became committed that no other member of his community would have to die for lack of adequate health facilities. And so, the grief-stricken grandfather, founded Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital to serve the community of Hollister and all residents of San Benito County, out of his love. This enduring tribute to Hazel’s memory made his dream become a reality and her legacy continues to live on.
The words of Mr. T. S. Hawkins when he presented the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital to the people November 1907:
“I do not even claim the conception of this work. It is said in Holy Writ: ‘And a little child shall lead them.’ So, from the beautiful and unselfish life of the little girl whose name adorns these portals, came the inspiration for all that has been done.” Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, originally located on Monterey and Hawkins Street in Hollister, was presented to the public November 13, 1907, and served as the community’s principal hospital until the new district hospital was completed. The issue of “Hospital District” formation was submitted to voters — and passed by a margin of two to one — on December 10, 1957. The dedication of the new “District” hospital on Sunset Drive was June 13, 1962; the first patients were admitted on June 19, 1962.
Our Hospital Is Locally Governed & Cares About the Community
Hazel Hawkins Hospital is one of the few California hospitals still locally governed, and our hospital’s community-based, elected board of directors protects this local status to ensure the health care needs of the community are fulfilled