Hospital care in the US goes back a long way. And, believe it or not, some of our country’s oldest hospitals still operate today. Here are the oldest in the US that are still open and taking care of patients.
Bellevue – Bellevue Hospital in New York was opened in 1736. Because it was opened as an almshouse for the poor, it is not always credited as the first hospital. However, with its six beds, it operated as just that. Today, Bellevue can house more than 800 patients. It was one of the hubs of activity following the 9/11 tragedy. Today, Bellevue is working toward creating the World Trade Center Treatment Center, which will provide free health evaluation and medical and mental health treatment to those exposed to dust or fumes, including those without health insurance or those who do not qualify for other programs. Bellevue has long been recognized for its mental health facilities.
Pennsylvania Hospital – Benjamin Franklin himself helped raise money to start this hospital in Philadelphia, which began construction in 1751. It accepted the first patient in 1752, and is credited with being the nation’s first hospital, because it was originally intended as a hospital. The basement floor was initially used as a ward for mental patients. The first floor was the men’s ward and the second floor was the women’s ward. The third floor was reserved for servants and isolation cases. Today, the hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Medical System.
The New York Hospital – Chartered in 1771, New York Hospital in New York City was the country’s second hospital built originally for the purpose of being a general hospital. It became affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College when it was founded in 1898. In 1998, New York Hospital merged with Presbyterian Hospital to form today’s New York Presbyterian Hospital. The New York Presbyterian Hospital Corporation today operates several other hospitals within New York and is affiliated with two Ivy League Medical Schools: Columbia and Cornell.
Eastern State Hospital – Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this is the oldest hospital in the US constructed solely for the housing of the mentally ill. The first patient was admitted in 1773. It was located near the College of William and Mary and opened its doors with 24 beds. As tourist trade developed heavily in the area of the original hospital building, the hospital outgrew its building (which at that time housed 2000 beds) and had no more room for expansion. The original building had burned to the ground in 1885. Today, the original building has been rebuilt on the original foundation and operates as a museum, but the Eastern State Hospital continues to operate on the outskirts of Williamsburg.
Massachusetts General Hospital – Now affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Mass Gen, as it’s commonly called, was chartered in 1811. During the late 1800’s Harvard Medical School was located adjacent to the hospital. One of the first demonstrations of the use of ether for anesthesia was given in this hospital, in what is now referred to as the “ether dome”.
Phyllis Turner Zerkle writes about getting a master of hospital administration.
Bellevue – Bellevue Hospital in New York was opened in 1736. Because it was opened as an almshouse for the poor, it is not always credited as the first hospital. However, with its six beds, it operated as just that. Today, Bellevue can house more than 800 patients. It was one of the hubs of activity following the 9/11 tragedy. Today, Bellevue is working toward creating the World Trade Center Treatment Center, which will provide free health evaluation and medical and mental health treatment to those exposed to dust or fumes, including those without health insurance or those who do not qualify for other programs. Bellevue has long been recognized for its mental health facilities.
Pennsylvania Hospital – Benjamin Franklin himself helped raise money to start this hospital in Philadelphia, which began construction in 1751. It accepted the first patient in 1752, and is credited with being the nation’s first hospital, because it was originally intended as a hospital. The basement floor was initially used as a ward for mental patients. The first floor was the men’s ward and the second floor was the women’s ward. The third floor was reserved for servants and isolation cases. Today, the hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Medical System.
The New York Hospital – Chartered in 1771, New York Hospital in New York City was the country’s second hospital built originally for the purpose of being a general hospital. It became affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College when it was founded in 1898. In 1998, New York Hospital merged with Presbyterian Hospital to form today’s New York Presbyterian Hospital. The New York Presbyterian Hospital Corporation today operates several other hospitals within New York and is affiliated with two Ivy League Medical Schools: Columbia and Cornell.
Eastern State Hospital – Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this is the oldest hospital in the US constructed solely for the housing of the mentally ill. The first patient was admitted in 1773. It was located near the College of William and Mary and opened its doors with 24 beds. As tourist trade developed heavily in the area of the original hospital building, the hospital outgrew its building (which at that time housed 2000 beds) and had no more room for expansion. The original building had burned to the ground in 1885. Today, the original building has been rebuilt on the original foundation and operates as a museum, but the Eastern State Hospital continues to operate on the outskirts of Williamsburg.
Massachusetts General Hospital – Now affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Mass Gen, as it’s commonly called, was chartered in 1811. During the late 1800’s Harvard Medical School was located adjacent to the hospital. One of the first demonstrations of the use of ether for anesthesia was given in this hospital, in what is now referred to as the “ether dome”.
Phyllis Turner Zerkle writes about getting a master of hospital administration.
