1846:  The MU School of Medicine awards its first degrees.

1921:   Boone County Hospital opens; it is the first public hospital in Boone County.

1940:  Dedication ceremonies honor the opening of Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. It is the first cancer hospital west of the Mississippi and the second such institution in the United States.

1956:  University Hospital established.

1970:  Planned Parenthood established in Columbia.

1972:  VA Hospital opens its doors.

1973:  Roe v. Wade legalizes abortion.

1974:   Planned Parenthood in Columbia begins offering abortion services.
The Columbia Regional Hospital opens as a privately-owned hospital.

1975:  A three-story addition to Ellis Fischel expands outpatient, laboratory and operating facilities.
VA Hospital named after President Harry S. Truman.

1987:  The MU School of Medicine starts the Conley Scholar pre-admissions program.

1990:  Ellis Fischel and MU Health Care merge.

1992:   Family Health Center established; the center offers the only low cost, comprehensive family health care in Boone County.

1995:  The MU School of Medicine starts the Bryant Scholar pre-admissions program.

1997:  Ellis Fischel acquires a specially equipped van to bring cancer screening and education to rural areas.

1998:  Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital adds an ambulatory care addition.

1999:  MU buys Columbia Regional Hospital from Tenet Healthcare Corp.

2001:  Ellis Fischel’s Ernest and Eugenia Wyatt Guest House opens. The house provides lodging to more than 400 patients and their families in the first year.

2004:  Missouri designates MU’s Ellis Fischel Cancer Center as the state’s official cancer institute.