In the early 1970s, Francis P. Chiaramonte, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., President and Founder, recognized the need for a full-service hospital in Southern Maryland. The population was growing rapidly and, for some specialty care, area residents were traveling many miles to the medical centers of downtown Washington. Following countless hours of planning and development under the direct leadership of Dr. Chiaramonte, ground was broken for Southern Maryland Hospital Center (SMHC) in June 1976. On November 28, 1977, SMHC opened its doors and began serving the 400,000 residents of Southern Maryland with a complete range of multi-specialty health care.

In the years since our founding, SMHC has grown into a full-service, acute care facility. The equipment and technology are the latest, but our care remains rooted in the tradition of old-fashioned hospitality. Our logo incorporates the traditional caduceus (representing medicine and healing) and human hands (representing a compassionate touch). SMHC makes a commitment to bringing the highest medical expertise, with tender loving care, “back to the bedside.”