Martin Memorial was founded in 1939. The original hospital had 23 beds, three physicians, and 10 employees. The three founding physicians, Dr. Julian D. Parker, Dr. Van William Burns and Dr. Walter F. Davey, saw an average of eight patients a day.

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Slocum Barstow provided the land and building for the original hospital and nurse’s home. Mrs. Verner Z. Reed and Mr. Joseph V. Reed provided all furnishings and equipment.

The hospital was founded on the principles that patients should have access to medical treatment regardless of ability to pay, and treatment would be given to all people, regardless of race.