
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit, 515-bed teaching hospital located in Center City Philadelphia. Founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond, it was the second public hospital in the United States. In 1997, the hospital's Board of Managers decided to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). UPHS and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania together comprise Penn Medicine, a clinical and research entity of the University of Pennsylvania. Therefore, Pennsylvania Hospital is part of Penn Medicine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pennsylvania Hospital |
| Location | 800 Spruce Street, Center City Philadelphia |
| Year founded | 1751 |
| Number of beds | 515 |
| Type of hospital | Private, non-profit, teaching hospital |
| Operator | University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) |
| Network | Part of UPHS, which comprises Penn Medicine along with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania |
| Ranking | Ranked 7th among hospitals in Pennsylvania, 3rd in Philadelphia, and among the top 100 hospitals in the country |
| Specialties | Obstetrics & Gynecology, Internal Medicine Residency Program |
| Achievements | Home to the nation's oldest surgical amphitheatre, established the first "lying-in" or maternity department in 1803, and achieved several other firsts in women's medicine |
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What You'll Learn

Pennsylvania Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit, 515-bed teaching hospital located at 800 Spruce Street in Center City Philadelphia. Founded on May 11, 1751, by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond, it was the second public hospital in the United States. The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is a National Historic Landmark.
The hospital has a rich history and is known for several innovations in medicine, particularly in the area of women's health and maternity care. In 1803, the hospital established a maternity department, and in 1929, the Woman's Building (now the Spruce Building) opened, offering modern amenities and specialised care for women, making it "one of the most modern hospital buildings in the country" at the time.
The top floor of Pennsylvania Hospital houses the nation's oldest surgical amphitheatre, which was in use from 1804 to 1868. The hospital also boasts a well-regarded internal medicine residency program, ranking 19th in the country according to the 2018 Becker's Hospital Review.
In 1997, Pennsylvania Hospital's Board of Managers made the decision to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, allowing the hospital to benefit from the larger health system's network of resources. This merger has contributed to the hospital's continued success and reputation as one of the top hospitals in the country.
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It is ranked 7th among hospitals in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit, 515-bed teaching hospital located in Philadelphia. It was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond and was the second public hospital in the United States. The hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which has a large network of resources supporting the hospital.
Pennsylvania Hospital is ranked 7th among hospitals in Pennsylvania, according to US News & World Report. It is also ranked 3rd among 12 hospitals in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The hospital has achieved high-performing status across six subspecialties. Obstetrics and Gynecology, for example, ranked 45th in the nation among 4,855 hospitals. The hospital's internal medicine residency program is also highly regarded, ranking 19th in the country according to the 2018 Becker's Hospital Review.
The hospital is known for its many pioneering achievements in women's medicine, particularly in maternity care. In 1803, the hospital established a dedicated maternity department, and in 1929, it reopened its obstetrics and gynecology specialties with the opening of the Woman's Building, which was considered highly modern for its time. The hospital also established the first bloodless medicine program in 1996, performing the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant.
The nation's oldest surgical amphitheatre is located on the top floor of Pennsylvania Hospital. The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is a National Historic Landmark. The hospital's medical library, established in 1762, is another notable feature, with its first book donated by John Fothergill, a British friend of Franklin.
Overall, Pennsylvania Hospital, as part of the Penn Medicine health system, has a rich history and continues to be recognised for its contributions to medicine and patient care.
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It was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond
Pennsylvania Hospital, founded on May 11, 1751, is a private, non-profit, 515-bed teaching hospital located at 800 Spruce Street in Center City Philadelphia. It was co-founded by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond. Franklin, a polymath, was instrumental in securing funding for the hospital, convincing the state legislature to provide matching funds to donations from the people of Philadelphia. Thomas Bond, a doctor, conceived the idea of the hospital as an institution "for the reception and cure of the sick poor...free of charge."
The hospital was the second public hospital in the United States, after Bellevue Hospital in New York, and it played a significant role in the advancement of medicine in the country. It was the site of the first surgical amphitheatre in the nation, which opened in 1804, and it also had the first medical library. Surgeries were performed in the amphitheatre between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on sunny days, as there was no electricity at the time. The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is now a National Historic Landmark.
The hospital has a rich history and is known for its many pioneering achievements, especially in the field of women's medicine and maternity care. It established a "lying-in" or maternity department in 1803, and in 1929, it opened the Woman's Building, which was considered one of the most modern hospital buildings in the country at that time. The hospital also gained a reputation as a centre of innovation and medical advancement, with specialties including obstetrics and gynaecology, and it has achieved high rankings in these areas.
In 1997, Pennsylvania Hospital made the decision to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, further strengthening its position in the healthcare landscape. The hospital celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2001 and continues to be a prominent and respected medical institution in the United States.
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The hospital has a bloodless medicine program
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit teaching hospital located in Philadelphia. It was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond and became the second public hospital in the United States. In 1997, the hospital's Board of Managers decided to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, becoming part of a larger health network.
The bloodless medicine program offers expanded treatment options for patients who cannot accept blood transfusions, including those requiring heart transplants. This approach combines the principles of patient blood management with a culture of respect for individual beliefs and convictions. The hospital provides resources and seminars to educate patients and the community about bloodless medicine and patient blood management.
Pennsylvania Hospital's bloodless medicine program has achieved notable success, contributing to its ranking among the top 100 hospitals in the country according to Healthgrades' 2024 and 2025 Best Hospitals rankings. The program's establishment and subsequent development have enhanced the hospital's reputation and attracted recognition for its commitment to innovation and patient-centred care.
The bloodless medicine program at Pennsylvania Hospital exemplifies the institution's dedication to advancing medical practices and accommodating diverse patient needs. By offering alternative treatment options and respecting patients' beliefs, the hospital ensures that individuals who decline blood transfusions can still receive necessary medical care. This inclusive approach has benefited patients with religious, ethical, or personal objections to blood transfusions, ensuring equal access to healthcare services.
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It is home to the nation's oldest surgical amphitheatre
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit teaching hospital located in Philadelphia. It was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond as an institution "for the reception and cure of the sick poor... free of charge". The hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, following a merger in 1997.
The hospital is known for its many firsts in medicine, particularly in the field of women's health and maternity care. It established the first "lying-in" or maternity department in 1803, and in 1929, it opened the Woman's Building, which was considered one of the most modern hospital buildings in the country at the time.
The hospital is also home to the nation's oldest surgical amphitheatre, located on its top floor. This amphitheatre served as the operating room from 1804 to 1868. Surgeries were performed during the day, between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, to utilise natural light from a dome above, as there was no electricity at the time. The amphitheatre could accommodate 180 seated individuals, and with those standing, up to 300 people could observe surgical operations.
The surgical amphitheatre represents the early beginnings of surgery, where procedures were performed without the modern conveniences of today. Anaesthesia, for instance, was not routinely used. Instead, analgesia was provided through a shot of whiskey or rum, along with a leather or bark bite block. Anaesthesia was first discussed in 1848 and implemented two years later, but even then, it was administered selectively.
Today, Pennsylvania Hospital continues to be highly regarded in the medical field, ranking among the top hospitals in the state and the country. It is recognised for its excellence in various specialties, including obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, and transfusion-free medicine.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pennsylvania Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) and is therefore part of Penn Medicine, a clinical and research entity of the University of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Hospital is located at 800 Spruce Street in Center City Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Hospital was founded on May 11, 1751, by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond.
Penn Medicine is a clinical and research entity of the University of Pennsylvania, comprising the UPHS and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.







































