The Doctor Who Did It All
Long before there were electronic medical records, 24-hour emergency departments, or even paved roads in parts of town, Wickenburg had something even more vital; Dr. Floyd B. Bralliar.
In 1936, fresh from his internship and full of youthful optimism, Dr. Bralliar arrived in Wickenburg to begin his medical practice. What he may not have known at the time was that he wasn’t just stepping into a new chapter of his life, he was writing the opening lines of a new chapter in our town’s history. For nine years, Dr. Bralliar was Wickenburg’s only physician and surgeon, serving the people of our community with unwavering dedication and a seemingly endless range of skills.
No dentist? He pulled teeth.
No veterinarian? He doctored horses and dogs.
No hospital? He became one, on call, all the time, for anyone who needed help.
From treating ranch hands injured in cattle drives to comforting sick children in the middle of the night, Dr. Bralliar didn’t just practice medicine, he embodied the spirit of rural healthcare. His compassion, ingenuity, and commitment laid the groundwork for what would one day become Wickenburg Community Hospital.
In 1957, thanks to Dr. Bralliar’s generosity and vision, Wickenburg Community Hospital was built on land donated by Dr. Bralliar himself. The hospital opened its doors at 520 Rose Lane, nestled between Bralliar Road and Rose Lane, with 35 beds and a mission to serve every person who walked through its doors.
On May 2, 1957, history was made again when the first baby was born at the new facility: Curtis Neal Wilburn.
By 1961, just four years after opening, the hospital had already recorded 6,166 patient stays—a testament to the urgent need for quality local healthcare and the trust our community placed in this new facility.
In 1970, Wickenburg Community Hospital became a fully accredited hospital, marking another major milestone in its journey from one doctor’s vision to a trusted institution of healing and hope.
His Legacy Lives On
Though much has changed since the 1930s, our hospital still carries the legacy of its humble beginnings. The values Dr. Bralliar lived by, service, resourcefulness, and heart, continue to guide us today as we care for the growing Wickenburg region.
Dr. Bralliar’s legacy is more than historical; it’s living. It is in every patient we serve, every volunteer who shows up to give back, and every donor who helps carry his vision forward.
You can help us honor his legacy by supporting the Wickenburg Community Hospital Foundation.
Your gift helps ensure that rural, personalized care continues to thrive; just as Dr. Bralliar intended.
Give a Gift Today – Learn More at www.wickhospfoundation.org