Martin Memorial Hospital, which was located on Gilmer and Cherry streets in Mount Airy, was founded by Dr. Moir S. Martin in 1915. The small hospital, which housed 75 beds, was destroyed by fire in 1953. That year, voters approved a referendum to create the Northern Regional Hospital and the Martin Memorial School of Nursing.

The Martin Memorial School of Nursing was re-established next to the hospital in a facility later known as the Martin Memorial Building. However, in the early 1970s, the school closed and a new nursing program was established at Surry Community College.

The construction of a 14,000 square foot ambulatory care addition, which included pathology, radiology, outpatient/emergency and office space added on to the hospital’s north wing, was completed in 1974.

In 1985, the hospital increased its bed capacity to 160 beds to eliminate the use of four-bed wards. Nearly 80% of patient rooms became single occupancy. At this time, virtually the entire building was refurbished and modernized to provide state-of-the-art services. More services were added during the late 1980s, including a short-term in-patient psychiatric unit, an adult care service, and a skilled nursing facility. All rooms were converted to private rooms bringing the total bed capacity to 133 licensed beds.

As part of its commitment to excellence, the hospital completed an extensive $18.6 million expansion and renovation project that has enhanced access to quality care in a safe environment. Patients benefit from a host of new technologies, expanded services, and streamlined patient care.

In June 2009, the 58,000 square foot expansion of Surgical Services was completed and The Surgery Center was opened. This state-of-the-art facility includes integrated digital operating rooms, pre-admission testing, patient prep and holding areas, day surgery, endoscopy, family and visitor waiting, family consultation areas, post anesthesia care, and sterile processing.

Northern opens its first urgent care clinic located at 119 Welch Road in Mount Airy.

Northern Regional Hospital acquired the old Wells Fargo Bank located at 105 N. Crutchfield Street in Dobson, NC. The property is currently being updated to house a second Northern Family Medicine location projected to open Spring 2023.

Northern Family Medicine – Dobson was opened in August, 2023. The Family Medicine practice includes six exam rooms, a dedicated procedure room, an open nurses’ station, and a lab with access to physicians in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, and Urology who are conveniently located close to home.