Rich in History
Rich in history and rooted in compassion, Bay County Medical Care Facility has been serving the community since opening its doors in 1962. Today, our skilled medical care is delivered with pride by a devoted team of full- and part-time professionals. Their unwavering commitment to quality care has exemplified the "We Care" Difference!
1962
The Beginning
The Bay County Medical Care Facility opened its doors in 1962, but our roots go much deeper into the community.
In 1865, the Bay County Board of Supervisors purchased 120 acres of farmland near what is today West Hampton Road and North Knight Road. The county erected a frame building for the aged who had no means of support. Many of the residents were no longer able to work or had no family. Some had families who couldn’t care for them. The official name was the County Farm, but most referred to it as the Poor Farm.
The original building burned to the ground in 1905. The Board of Supervisors authorized $25,000 to build a large, three-story red brick building to house 64 “inmates,” as the residents were called at the time. The facility also included several farm buildings. From 1905 to 1958, the inmates farmed the land and raised cows, chickens, and pigs to supply food. In 1958, though, the building was condemned as a fire hazard and ruled as too expensive to repair.
1964
A Legacy of Care Begins
In 1964, Bay County Medical Care Facility officially opened its doors at 564 W. Hampton Road in Essexville. The original one-story building accommodated up to 100 residents, and by 1967, a second floor was added—doubling our capacity with space for an additional 106 residents.
While the facility has seen several renovations and upgrades over the decades, our mission has remained consistent: to provide compassionate, high-quality care to those who need it most. Residents typically come to us following a hospital stay, from private care facilities, or when in need of specialized rehabilitation services or end-of-life care that cannot be provided at home. Our services are supported through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, ensuring accessible care for individuals across our community.
2025
Continuing a Legacy of Growth and Innovation
Since 2019, we've proudly continued our legacy of growth through thoughtful renovations and expansions designed to enhance the resident experience. Our 2019 project brought additional private rooms, sunlit dining areas, and inviting sunrooms—creating more comfortable, home-like spaces for our residents. We also expanded our front lobby, added welcoming areas for families and friends to visit, and increased office space to better support our dedicated staff.
In 2025, we reached a new milestone with the opening of our on-site Dialysis Den—the first of its kind in Bay County, Michigan. This state-of-the-art dialysis center allows both long-term residents and short-term rehab residents to receive high-quality dialysis care right here within our facility, improving continuity of care and reducing the need for disruptive travel.
Rooted in our commitment to the "We Care Difference," we remain dedicated to advancing services, expanding resources, and creating a supportive, compassionate environment for every resident. The future is bright at Bay County Medical Care Facility—and we’re just getting started!