Oneonta celebrated the laying of the cornerstone for a new 22 bed hospital on October 5, 1900. Colonel Reuben Fox, a prominent local politician and businessman, having recognized the need for community hospital, offered $10,000 as a memorial to his wife, if the city would provide a suitable site for the building.

Since 1917 a number of expansion and modernizing programs have culminated in the present hospital and nursing home complex. The 128 bed acute care building was dedicated in 1976 to the memory of Jessie Smith Dewar, benefactor and long-time friend of the hospital. The 130 bed nursing home was built in three stages, Unit I in 1968, Unit II in 1972, and Unit III in 1982.

In 1991, the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital Foundation successfully completed a $5.1 million Capital Campaign to help finance a $18.6 million expansion and renovation project. The emergency department, surgical services, the maternity unit, outpatient services and support services, were upgraded for the comfort and convenience of patients and their families.

In late 1996, the Board of Directors of Fox Hospital decided to purchase and renovate the former Pyramid Mall into a state-of-the-art outpatient care center. In the summer of 1997, the FoxCare Center was presented to the community. The easily accessible collection of physician practices, a health club, an education center, lab and x-ray services, a cancer center and pharmacy, and more has become a major part of the new FoxCare Network. A cancer care center and a dental practice were added in 2000. Much more than just an acute care hospital, the FoxCare Network is a community of healthcare services, meeting the complete health and wellness needs of the residents in our area.

Since its birth in 1900, A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital has been on a continuous journey of service that has brought many physical and technological changes. However, the heart of Fox has not changed, nor will it ever. Its mission will always be to provide the highest quality healthcare possible to families, friends and neighbors.

Today, Fox provides a broad spectrum of healthcare, with renowned specialties in emergency, cancer, cardiac and primary care. Fox treats the youngest of patients (in OB/GYN), the oldest (with many services for seniors) and much more.

In short, Fox has grown into an entire community of healthcare services. But one thing will never change, and it is at the very heart of Fox: the mission to provide excellent healthcare-and a caring touch-to our families, friends and neighbors.