Boone Hospital Center is a 392-bed, county-owned, not-for-profit hospital located at 1600 E. Broadway, Columbia, Missouri 65201. Administered by Boone Health, the facility serves as the primary regional referral center for 26 mid-Missouri counties, with particular strength in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, and obstetrical services. The hospital operates a 24-hour emergency department with hospital-based ambulance service and a dedicated helipad for air transport arrivals.
Overview and Facility Profile
Boone Hospital Center is a full-service acute care hospital licensed by the state of Missouri and accredited by The Joint Commission, employing over 2,000 staff members and 350 physicians.
The hospital operates as a county-owned, not-for-profit organization, which means community benefit guides its mission rather than shareholder returns. Its main campus spans East Broadway in Columbia, with the original 1921 Nifong Building still in use alongside a modern nine-story patient tower completed in 2011. A 940-space parking garage on the west side of the campus serves patients and visitors.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1600 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201 |
| Phone | 573-815-8000 |
| Bed Count | 392 licensed beds |
| Ownership | County-owned, not-for-profit |
| Accreditation | The Joint Commission (TJC) |
| Service Area | 26 mid-Missouri counties |
| Emergency Services | 24-hour ED with helipad and ambulance service |
| Patient Portal | Boone Health Connection |
History
Boone Hospital Center traces its founding to 1921, making it one of the oldest continuously operating hospitals in mid-Missouri.
The story begins in 1917, when the Missouri General Assembly passed a law allowing counties to issue bonds to fund hospital construction. Boone County voters approved $100,000 in bonds in April 1919, and construction officially began on May 30, 1920. On December 10, 1921, Boone County Hospital opened its doors to the community. The hospital’s first two patients were admitted on December 13 and 14, and the first baby was delivered on Christmas Eve of that year.
In 1988, the board of trustees entered a lease agreement with Christian Health Services, which later merged with Barnes and Jewish hospitals to form BJC HealthCare in 1993. Boone Hospital continued under that agreement until 2021, when it separated from BJC HealthCare to become an independent organization under the Boone Health name. The hospital’s founder, Dr. Frank Nifong, was inducted into the Boone County Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside the hospital itself.
Medical Specialties and Services
Boone Hospital Center provides a comprehensive spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services, rated High Performing in 14 adult procedures and conditions by U.S. News and World Report.
Cardiology and heart surgery represent one of the hospital’s most recognized service lines. According to U.S. News, Boone Hospital Center is rated High Performing in heart attack, heart arrhythmia, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, pacemaker implantation, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The facility maintains a cardiac catheterization lab and a full electrophysiology program.
Oncology
The cancer care program at Boone Hospital Center holds High Performing ratings for colon cancer surgery, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, lung cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery, and gynecologic oncology. The hospital also houses a dedicated GYN Oncology and Surgery department.
Orthopedics
Orthopedic services include hip fracture treatment, hip replacement, knee replacement, and spinal fusion, all rated High Performing by U.S. News. Healthgrades recognizes the facility for superior clinical outcomes in outpatient rotator cuff surgery, total hip replacement, and total knee replacement.
Neurology and Neurosurgery
Boone Hospital maintains a Neurosurgery and Spine Center with 20 private rooms, opened in 2009 with a $1.8 million investment. The facility includes a dedicated Stroke Center and Sleep Medicine program operating under the neurology service line.
Additional Clinical Services
- Childbirth and Newborn Services, including a NICU
- Breast Care Center
- Diabetes and Endocrinology
- Digestive Medicine and Gastroenterology
- Ear, Nose and Throat
- Infectious Diseases
- Intensive Care Unit
- Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Pain Management
- Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
- Radiology
- Urology Care
- Vascular Surgery
- Wound Healing
Diagnostic and Surgical Technology
Boone Hospital Center has invested consistently in diagnostic and surgical technology to serve mid-Missouri patients with advanced, minimally invasive options.
In 2008, the hospital’s Wound Clinic received two hyperbaric chambers, making Boone one of only two facilities in mid-Missouri at that time to offer this treatment. In 2010, Boone unveiled the region’s first high-field open MRI machine, designed to accommodate patients who cannot use traditional closed MRI units due to size or claustrophobia. The da Vinci surgical robotic system also forms part of the hospital’s surgical capability, as documented in the hospital’s 2011 time capsule. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Boone Hospital holds a 5-star overall quality rating and the lowest readmission rates in Missouri.
Awards and Accreditations
Boone Hospital Center has earned recognition from multiple independent national health quality organizations over the past several years.
| Award / Recognition | Source |
|---|---|
| No. 1 Hospital in Mid-Missouri (2025) | U.S. News and World Report |
| No. 7 Hospital in Missouri (2025) | U.S. News and World Report |
| 5th Consecutive Magnet Designation | American Nurses Credentialing Center |
| America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award | Healthgrades |
| Patient Safety Excellence Award | Healthgrades |
| 5-Star Overall Quality Rating | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
| America’s Best Midsize Employers | Forbes |
| Lowest Readmission Rates in Missouri | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
The Magnet designation, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recognizes hospitals that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice. Boone Hospital holds the distinction of being the only Magnet-designated hospital in mid-Missouri, having earned this recognition five consecutive times as of 2024.
Ambulance Services and Emergency Access
Boone Hospital Center operates five ambulances across Boone County, providing ground-level emergency medical services alongside the hospital’s 24-hour emergency department.
Ambulance bases are positioned at Centralia, the northeast side of Columbia near Vandiver, the north-central side near Prathersville, the southeast side near Lenoir Woods, and directly on the Boone Hospital grounds. The emergency department also maintains a helipad for incoming air transport, allowing the facility to receive patients from across the 26-county service area without delay.
Other Missouri-based hospitals in the region include Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, MO and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, both of which serve different segments of the Missouri patient population. For facilities in neighboring states, Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, Wisconsin offers a useful point of comparison for regional acute care models.
Visiting Hours and Patient Information
Boone Hospital Center maintains an open patient portal called Boone Health Connection, which allows patients to manage appointments, view test results, and communicate with care teams online.
Patients can reach the hospital’s main line at 573-815-8000. Billing questions are handled at 573-815-3305, and patient experience inquiries go to 573-815-6047. The hospital publishes a price transparency page and accepts a range of insurance plans, which patients can confirm through the accepted insurance section on the Boone Health website. Maps and directions, including a downloadable interior patient map, are available on the hospital’s patient portal pages. Boone Hospital Center and all affiliated clinics operate as smoke-free, tobacco-free, and nicotine-free facilities.
Why Patients Choose Boone Hospital Center
Boone Hospital Center combines the resources of a major regional referral center with the community-focused mission of a county-owned, not-for-profit institution.
The hospital’s track record across multiple independent quality measures, from U.S. News rankings to Healthgrades patient safety awards and CMS 5-star recognition, reflects a consistent record of clinical performance. Five consecutive Magnet designations confirm nursing quality at an institutional level. The hospital’s ambulance network and helipad ensure emergency access across a wide geographic region, and its range of subspecialty services means most mid-Missouri patients can receive advanced care without traveling to Kansas City or St. Louis. According to Healthgrades, 80% of patients recommend Boone Hospital Center to others, with patient experience ratings reflecting strong performance in physician communication, nursing quality, and post-discharge instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Boone Hospital Center located?
Boone Hospital Center is located at 1600 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201. The main campus is accessible from East Broadway with a 940-space parking garage on the west side.
What is the phone number for Boone Hospital Center?
The main hospital line is 573-815-8000. Billing questions can be directed to 573-815-3305 and patient experience inquiries to 573-815-6047.
Does Boone Hospital Center have a 24-hour emergency department?
Yes. Boone Hospital Center operates a 24-hour emergency department with hospital-based ambulance service across five stations in Boone County and a helipad for incoming air transport.
What insurance does Boone Hospital Center accept?
Boone Hospital Center accepts a range of insurance plans. Patients can verify their specific coverage through the accepted insurance section at boone.health or by calling the billing department.
How do I access the Boone Hospital Center patient portal?
Patients can access Boone Health Connection, the hospital’s online patient portal, through the Boone Health website at boone.health. It allows appointment management, test results review, and secure messaging with care teams.
Is Boone Hospital Center a Magnet hospital?
Yes. Boone Hospital Center has received five consecutive Magnet designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, making it the only Magnet-designated hospital in mid-Missouri.
How is Boone Hospital Center ranked nationally?
U.S. News and World Report ranked Boone Hospital Center as the No. 1 hospital in mid-Missouri and No. 7 in the state of Missouri for 2025. Healthgrades recognized it with the America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award and Patient Safety Excellence Award.
