Whidbey General Hospital is 45 years old.

Staff gathered in front of the entrance Wednesday to take a group photo to commemorate “45 years of Neighbors Caring for Neighbors.”

“As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, I am grateful to the visionaries who were determined to build a hospital on Whidbey Island so many decades ago,” said Anne Tarrant, the hospital’s board president.

“From a small country hospital in 1970, we have grown into an extensive healthcare network that includes seven clinics, a nationally recognized award-winning cancer program, specialized services such as hospice care and, soon, a state-of-the-art inpatient wing.”

Tarrant said the hospital could not have been successful without the support of the island’s residents.

“I am also thankful to our community, whose support has always been essential to our growth and success,” Tarrant said. “I look forward to our future with great anticipation.”