Our Story

The Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) was created in 1990 by a passionate group of hospital administrators who felt rural healthcare needed a larger voice-one that would resound with their unique needs and their dedication to healing. They had already seen nearly 80 small hospitals boarded up because they couldn'wt survive with low patient volumes and the growing insufficiency of government reimbursement.

From the beginning, TORCH determined that its focus was rural hospitals, and has been faithful to its grassroots beginnings and member-driven culture. Today, TORCH is recognized both in Texas and nationally as an effective advocate for rural hospitals, and credited with helping to shape vital legislation on behalf of its members, as well as providing their ongoing needs in education, management development and support services.