Weimar Center of Health & Education - History

History

In 1919, Weimar Institute opened as a small tuberculosis sanatorium. It was later used for the care of the mentally ill. In 1957, it changed focus to the Weimar Chest Center, treating other pulmonary diseases. It was then renamed the Weimar Medical Center in 1960 and in 1966 Weimar Medical Center developed into a general community hospital. The hospital was closed 1972 due to financial cuts by the state and counties. Following the closure, the property changed hands several times and in 1975 it reopened as Hope Village, a temporary relocation center for Vietnamese refugees.

In May 1977, a group of Seventh-day Adventists purchased the 457 acres (1.85 km2). In 1978 it was registered as the nonprofit organization, Weimar Institute of Health & Education, and Weimar College was opened. In 1981 Weimar Academy was established as a private four-year Christian boarding high school.

In early 2008, Weimar Institute announced that it would close Weimar College at the end of June 2008. Later that year, however, the institute merged with Amazing Facts and a combined board was established to oversee the operations of Weimar Institute and its divisions. An announcement stated:

"After two years of heartfelt prayer, study, discussion, and observing the leading of the Lord, Amazing Facts and Weimar Institute voted on April 6, 2008 to proceed with a bold new joint venture. Their respective boards approved an agreement whereby the operations of Weimar Institute will be administered by Amazing Facts with a new board of directors providing direction to both ministries."

Subsequent to the decision to jointly operate Weimar it was realized that there was a difference of operating philosophy and focus between Amazing Facts, under the direction of Doug Batchelor, and the new administration of the Weimar Health Center as the health center moved more towards a specialized depression recover center under the direction of Dr. Neal Nedley. So, it was decided that they would separate the administration of Wiemar so that each could focus on their particular emphasis. While they continue to cooperate on many programs, they are now two separate and unique institutions.

A long-term focus of Weimar has been the NEWSTART Program. The NEWSTART Program is part of Weimar and is primarily focused on lifestyle based crisis intervention and training for recovery from diabetes and life threatening heart problems. NEWSTART stands for Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in Divine Power.