The First Us Hospital: Standing Strong

The oldest hospital in the US is a topic of some debate. While Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia was founded in 1751, Bellevue Hospital in New York City was established in 1736, almost two decades earlier. Both hospitals are still in operation today. Pennsylvania Hospital was founded by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond, and it was the first surgical amphitheatre in the US. Bellevue Hospital, on the other hand, was the first hospital with a nursing school for women, a maternity ward, and a children's clinic. It also played a crucial role in major epidemics such as tuberculosis, typhus, and yellow fever.

Pennsylvania Hospital was founded in 1751

The Pennsylvania Hospital, located in Philadelphia, was founded on May 11, 1751, by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. It was the second public hospital in the United States after Bellevue Hospital. The hospital was established with the aim of providing free care and treatment for the sick, poor, and insane people wandering the streets of Philadelphia. The idea for the hospital came from Dr. Thomas Bond, who approached his long-time friend Benjamin Franklin to help raise funds. Franklin proposed raising £2,000 from private citizens, with the assembly matching the amount with an additional £2,000. The funding method, combining public money and private donations, was a novel approach at the time.

The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is now considered a National Historic Landmark. The cornerstone for the East Wing of the building was laid in 1755 at the hospital's current location of 8th and Pine Streets. The site was considered out in the country by the standards of that time. The hospital first opened to patients in temporary space near Independence Hall in 1753. The following year, in 1754, Thomas and Richard Penn donated the adjoining property, giving the hospital a larger area between Spruce and Pine Streets and 8th and 9th Streets.

Pennsylvania Hospital quickly gained a reputation as a centre of innovation and medical advancement, especially in the area of maternity. It was a teaching hospital from its inception, with Dr. Bond leading rounds through what is now the East Wing of the main building. The hospital was also known for its advanced and humane facilities for mentally ill patients during a time when mental illness was poorly understood, and patients were often treated poorly. The hospital played a significant role during the Revolutionary War, providing care regardless of whether soldiers fought for the British or the Continent.

The Pennsylvania Hospital also witnessed several firsts in American medicine. It was home to the nation's first surgical amphitheatre, which served as an operating room from 1804 to 1868. Additionally, it was the first hospital to establish an Officer of Hygiene in 1874 to address the issues of infections and poor sanitation among patients. The hospital's seal, chosen by Franklin, depicts the story of the Good Samaritan with the motto, "Take Care of Him and I Will Repay Thee," reflecting the charitable purpose of the institution.

It was the second public hospital in the US

Pennsylvania Hospital, founded on May 11, 1751, was the second public hospital in the United States. It was established by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond in Philadelphia. The hospital was founded with the aim of providing free treatment to the sick poor. It was also known for its advanced and humane treatment of mentally ill patients, an area of medicine that was poorly understood at the time. The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is now considered a National Historic Landmark.

Pennsylvania Hospital has been at the forefront of many medical innovations and milestones. It was the first hospital in the US to have a surgical amphitheatre, which served as an operating room from 1804 to 1868. The hospital also established a maternity department in 1803, reflecting its focus on women's medicine. The Woman's Building, opened in 1929, was considered one of the most modern hospital buildings in the country, offering various specialised services for women's medicine.

The hospital has also contributed significantly to medical education and research. It was the first medical library in the US and established the country's first bloodless medicine program in 1996, performing the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant. The hospital's Physic Garden, proposed in 1774, provided physicians with ingredients for medicines, showcasing the institution's early commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

Beyond its medical significance, Pennsylvania Hospital holds a special place in the hearts of many physicians. The affection for the hospital is evident in the number of interns and residents who have requested that their ashes be buried in the garden. The hospital's seal, featuring the story of the Good Samaritan, captures its spirit of social responsibility and commitment to caring for the sick.

Today, Pennsylvania Hospital continues to be a leading medical institution, ranked among the top 100 hospitals in the country. It is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, ensuring access to a network of resources. The hospital's rich history and dedication to innovation have made it a cornerstone of American healthcare.

The hospital's main building is a National Historic Landmark

The first hospital in the United States was the Pennsylvania Hospital, founded on May 11, 1751, by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond. It was the second public hospital in the country, after Bellevue Hospital. The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is now a National Historic Landmark.

The Pennsylvania Hospital has been at the forefront of many medical, historical, and cultural milestones. It was the first hospital in the US to have a surgical amphitheatre, which served as an operating room from 1804 to 1868. The surgical amphitheatre could accommodate up to 300 people, including 180 seated viewers, as surgeries were performed during sunny days between 11 am and 2 pm due to the lack of electricity. The hospital also established the nation's first "lying-in" or maternity department in 1803, and it was known for its advanced and humane treatment of mentally ill patients during a time when mental illness was poorly understood.

The hospital was founded with the mission of ""receiving and curing the sick free of charge," and it quickly gained a reputation as a centre for innovation and medical advancement. The story of the Good Samaritan was chosen as the official seal, reflecting a new attitude of social responsibility. The hospital's seal bears the phrase, "Take Care of Him and I will repay Thee."

Today, Pennsylvania Hospital continues to be a highly regarded medical institution, ranking among the top 100 hospitals in the country according to Healthgrades' 2024 and 2025 Best Hospitals rankings. It is also recognised for its specialised units in various medical fields, including oncology, urology, and orthopaedics.

It was founded by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond

Pennsylvania Hospital, the first hospital in America, was founded on May 11, 1751, by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond. The hospital was the brainchild of Dr. Thomas Bond, who envisioned an institution ""for the reception and cure of the sick poor... free of charge". Franklin, one of America's founding fathers, played a crucial role in bringing Bond's vision to life. He successfully lobbied the legislature to match the donations of the people of Philadelphia, ensuring sufficient funding for the hospital's establishment.

Franklin's involvement extended beyond fundraising. In 1752, a temporary hospital was opened in a house on High (Market) Street, and Franklin wrote the cornerstone for the East Wing of the building at the hospital's current location of 8th and Pine in 1755. The hospital admitted its first patients in 1756, and the main building, dating back to that year, is now considered a National Historic Landmark.

Pennsylvania Hospital has been at the forefront of medical innovation and advancement throughout its history. It was the first hospital in the United States to have a surgical amphitheatre, which served as an operating room from 1804 to 1868. The hospital also had the nation's first medical library. In addition, Pennsylvania Hospital was a teaching hospital from its inception and played a significant role in treating war-wounded patients.

The hospital seal, chosen by Franklin and Bond, features the story of the Good Samaritan with the phrase, "Take Care of Him and I will repay Thee." This phrase ushered in a new attitude of social responsibility and set a precedent for the care and treatment of patients. Pennsylvania Hospital has left an indelible mark on the medical landscape of the nation, with its many "firsts" and contributions to medicine, especially in the area of women's health and maternity care.

The hospital has been home to many medical firsts

Pennsylvania Hospital, founded in 1751, has been home to many medical firsts. It was the first hospital in the United States to have a surgical amphitheatre, which served as an operating room from 1804 to 1868. The hospital also had the country's first medical library.

In addition to these achievements, Pennsylvania Hospital was also a pioneer in the humane treatment of the mentally ill during a time when mental illness was poorly understood, and patients were often treated cruelly. The hospital's approach to mental health care became the standard for the 19th century.

The hospital has a rich history of innovation in women's medicine, especially in maternity care. In 1803, the hospital established a "lying-in" or maternity department, which was considered ahead of its time as most births took place at home. The hospital also opened the first Antenatal Testing Unit (ATU) in the region in 1978 and achieved the first GIFT (Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer) pregnancy in Philadelphia in 1985.

Pennsylvania Hospital has continued to make advancements in modern medicine. In 1996, Patricia A. Ford established the bloodless medicine program and performed the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant. The hospital's Center for Transfusion-Free Medicine has become a major national bloodless center, treating over 1300 inpatients annually.

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