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On a bend of the Maumee River, in the city of Napoleon, Ohio’s everyday rhythms are steady. Factory shifts change. Friday night lights flip on. Families head home along two-lane roads that stitch small towns to the county seat. At the top of Riverview Avenue, the lights never go out at Henry County Hospital.
For people here, proximity to hospital care is a lifeline. In a county of roughly 27,000, surrounded by farmland and small-town neighborhoods, minutes can matter. Having an emergency department nearby can be the difference between worry and relief, and sometimes between life and loss.
Founded in 1919, Henry Country Hospital provides critical health services to Napoleon and the surrounding communities.
In addition to emergency services, Henry County Hospital’s campus provides inpatient and intensive care, primary care, imaging, oncology and infusion services, orthopedics and rehab, pain management, cardiology, respiratory therapy, sleep studies, urology, podiatry, and women’s health. Specialty clinics rotate through the facility to keep advanced care accessible for local patients.
The mission is simple: comprehensive care without the commute. “We’ve had patients come to us first in a crisis, and those minutes made all the difference,” says Kortney Williams, who oversees marketing, wellness, and community relations at Henry County Hospital. “Even if a transfer is needed later, starting care here can change the outcome.”
“We follow people through every stage of life,” she adds. “From pediatrics to specialty care, we want to offer what they need right here, close to home.”
That approach—rooted in access and compassion—reflects a deep understanding of what rural families need most. “We’re connected to our schools, athletics, and local events, she adds. “Our staff live here. It feels like family.”
Dr. Manly & Dr. Bolman hosting a booth at a local high school homecoming event.
Listening and Responding to Local Needs
If there’s one thing that defines Henry County Hospital, it’s listening. Through countywide health assessments, patient focus groups, and outreach in schools and senior centers, the hospital keeps its ear to the ground. “We see all ages, all stages of life,” Kortney explains. “So we have to reach out across the board to really understand what our community needs.”
Dr. Reynolds showcasing proper hand hygiene techniques at a school presentation.
That feedback has translated into meaningful action. In 2022, the hospital opened an urgent care in direct response to community requests. It also keeps much of its laboratory testing on-site, saving patients extra trips and wait times. A mobile MRI unit rotates in as needed, and recent imaging upgrades include 3D mammography and new X-ray and fluoroscopy technology.
“It all supports quicker diagnosis and treatment,” Kortney adds, “helping people get care without leaving town.”
Even difficult transitions have been handled with transparency. When the hospital discontinued labor and delivery services in 2023, it ensured women’s health remained available locally and built partnerships with nearby facilities to coordinate safe, quality care. “It’s about adapting without losing what makes us personal,” Kortney says.
A Relationship Rooted in Trust
Hospitals are built on medical expertise, scientific innovation, and compassionate patient care, but they also depend on complex financial systems that keep everything running smoothly and securely. The hospital’s banking relationship began in 1983 with The Henry County Bank and continued seamlessly when Civista Bancshares, Inc. acquired the bank’s parent company in 2022.
“The continuity was everything,” says Kristen Nusbaum, Vice President and Treasury Management Officer at Civista Bank. “They already knew our team, and we knew them. It was a natural fit.”
That partnership has evolved with technology and time. Most recently, Civista Bank and the hospital’s payroll provider collaborated to streamline payroll processing through a secure data connection. The new process eliminates manual uploads and reduces time spent on administrative steps. “It’s more efficient, accurate, and secure,” Kristen explains. “Our goal is to simplify the background work so they can focus on patient care.”
In fact, Civista supports Henry County Hospital with a number of tailored solutions designed for operational reliability and ease.
Through ACH Origination, the hospital delivers direct deposits to more than 300 employees and handles vendor payments electronically, reducing administrative burdens and opportunities for error. Online wires enable same-day transfers for time-sensitive transactions like equipment purchases. Meanwhile, an ICS money market sweep keeps reserve balances fully FDIC-insured and easily accessible—a safeguard for both liquidity and security. In practical terms, it means the hospital’s savings aren’t sitting in one large, uninsured account. Instead, those funds are automatically spread across trusted institutions, so every dollar is protected and still immediately available when the hospital needs it.”
A dedicated line of credit stands ready if needed, though the hospital’s strong financial management has kept it largely untouched. Together, these tools create a quiet backbone of stability.
“Patients don’t see the behind-the-scenes work,” Kristen says. “Our role is to make sure the financial side supports the clinical side—without friction, without distraction.”
Caring for the Caregivers
Civista’s support doesn’t end with balance sheets. Through the Civista@Work program, the bank offers financial wellness education directly to the hospital’s employees, bringing money management, fraud prevention, and personal banking guidance into the facilities where these hardworking healthcare professionals care for others.
“Financial wellness is part of overall wellness,” Kortney explains. “Our employees asked for it through surveys and forums, and Civista stepped up. It’s been a natural fit.”
Sessions cover budgeting, digital banking safety, and understanding credit: all topics employees said they wanted help navigating. Kortney says the program couldn’t have come at a better time. “That education gives peace of mind, and it carries over to how our staff serves patients, too.”
A few of the 300 hard-working staff and medical team serving at Henry County Hospital.
Strengthening Care for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Henry County Hospital is focused on expanding its foundation of care. In recent years, the hospital has recruited two new family medicine providers and a pediatrician to meet local demand for primary care. Those additions have already strengthened connections with families and schools.
“Our providers are getting out into the community, speaking at events, visiting schools, even showing up at the Senior Center,” Kortney says. “They’re exactly the kind of people who reflect who we are as a hospital.”
Through its nonprofit foundation, the hospital continues to invest in technology and infrastructure. Recent donor support helped fund a specialized sterilizer for the da Vinci Surgical System, a state-of-the-art robotic platform used for minimally invasive procedures. “It’s exciting technology, especially for a rural hospital,” Kortney says, “and our foundation and community made it possible.”
The dedicated Auxiliary Board Members of the Henry County Hospital Foundation.
Each improvement, large or small, ties back to the same mission: to keep high-quality care local. “We’ll always look for ways to grow with the community,” Kortney adds. “Whether that’s adding specialties, upgrading technology, or improving access, we’re here to stay.”
Banking on Community
What makes a relationship like this last more than 40 years? Trust—and shared investment in the community.
Civista Bank’s team members live and work alongside the hospital staff. They’re patients, parents, and volunteers, too. That sense of shared purpose keeps the partnership grounded. “They want the hospital to do well because they see its impact every day,” Kortney says.
The partnership between Civista and Henry County Hospital is rooted in a shared commitment to the people of Northwest Ohio. From payroll systems to financial wellness, from technology to trust, the partnership continues to reflect a simple truth: when local institutions work together, entire communities thrive.
Kristen puts it simply: “We’re neighbors helping neighbors. Our job is to make their work easier so they can focus on saving lives.”
Interested in connecting with a community bank that understands your mission? Learn more about how Civista’s business banking and treasury solutions can support your organization’s goals.
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