100 years of health care in Columbia

Health is a quality-of-life issue, an economic issue and a medical issue for citizens of Columbia and Boone County.

The heath care system in Columbia employs one in six Columbians and includes six hospitals and more than 1,105 hospital beds.

The medical industry's presence also spawns auxiliary businesses and services, such as testing labs and laundry services.

Because of the availability of medical care, including a range of specialties often found only in larger cities, Columbia attracts many people, ranging from those with young families to those who are retired.

In this, the third of a series of Centennial sections, we look at where the medical community has come from and where it is going.