Claire Dawson
In 1996, Philadelphia was home to several hospitals, including Pennsylvania Hospital, Misericordia Hospital, St. Mary Hospital, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Hospital, founded in 1751, established the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant program that year. St. Mary Hospital was renamed St. Mary Medical Center in 1996, and Misericordia Hospital opened a new emergency care facility. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, located in West Philadelphia, was part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the hospital | Pennsylvania Hospital |
| Location | 800 Spruce Street in Center City Philadelphia |
| Type of hospital | Private, non-profit, teaching hospital |
| Number of beds | 515 |
| Founders | Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond |
| Year founded | 1751 |
| Year of the first building opening | 1752 |
| Major funders | Thomas Stretch, Joseph Stretch, Benjamin Franklin, and the leading families in Philadelphia |
| Permanent location | 8th and Pine Streets |
| Seal | The biblical story of the Good Samaritan with the sentence, "Take Care of Him and I will repay Thee" |
| Bloodless medicine program | Established by Patricia A. Ford in 1996 |
| Merger | In 1997, Pennsylvania Hospital merged with the University of Pennsylvania Health System |
| Ranking | Top 100 hospitals in the country according to Healthgrades 2024 and 2025 Best Hospitals rankings |
| Other hospitals in Philadelphia | Misericordia Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center (previously St. Mary Hospital), Philadelphia General Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and Presbyterian Hospital |
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What You'll Learn
Pennsylvania Hospital
Thomas Bond conceived of the hospital in 1751 as an institution "for the reception and cure of the sick poor... free of charge". The hospital was funded by a "matching grant" from the people of Philadelphia, with the bill passing unanimously on February 7, 1750. Benjamin Franklin and the Stretch family, a prominent Quaker family in Philadelphia, each provided half of the original capital. Thomas Stretch, a leading citizen of Philadelphia and a member of Benjamin Franklin's Bucket Brigade, was one of the hospital's founders and largest subscribers.
The first hospital building opened on February 6, 1752, on High Street (now Market Street). Elizabeth Gardner, a Quaker widow, was appointed matron of the hospital. As the hospital received support from leading Philadelphia families, its permanence was secured. The hospital soon gained a reputation as a centre of innovation and medical advancement, particularly in maternity and the treatment of mental illness.
In 1996, Patricia A. Ford established the bloodless medicine program at Pennsylvania Hospital and performed the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant. The following year, the hospital's Board of Managers decided to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
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Bloodless medicine program
In 1996, the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia established a bloodless medicine program, offering the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant. The Center for Transfusion-Free Medicine at the hospital has since become a major national bloodless centre, treating more than 1300 inpatients annually.
The Pennsylvania Hospital was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond. It was the second public hospital in the United States and the first hospital in North America. The hospital was originally conceived as an institution "for the reception and cure of the sick poor...free of charge". It was funded by donations from the people of Philadelphia and the Stretch family, who were Quakers. The hospital's seal, chosen by Franklin and Bond, features the biblical story of the Good Samaritan.
The Center for Transfusion-Free Medicine provides comprehensive alternatives to blood transfusions, including bloodless surgery and medical management. This program respects the convictions and beliefs of individuals who cannot accept blood transfusions for religious, ethical, or blood safety reasons.
The bloodless medicine program at the Pennsylvania Hospital has contributed to its ranking among the top 100 hospitals in the country. The hospital continues to be a leader in medical innovation and patient care, offering a range of services that cater to the diverse needs and beliefs of its patients.
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The Stretch family
The family's story could begin with the birth of the eldest child, Emma Stretch, in the Woman's Hospital of Philadelphia. This hospital, founded in 1861, was the first women's hospital in the country and had a strong focus on maternity care. Emma's birth could have been a celebrated event, with the family receiving the best care available at the time. As Emma grew, the family's fortune and status in the city may have risen, and they found themselves living in one of the prestigious neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
Tragedy struck the family when the patriarch, Alfred Stretch, suffered a severe heart attack. He was rushed to the nearby Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Here, Alfred underwent emergency surgery and made a full recovery. The family's gratitude to the hospital and its staff knew no bounds, and they became ardent supporters and donors to the institution.
As the years passed, the Stretch children came of age and chose their own paths. The eldest, Emma, followed in the family's philanthropic tradition and became a prominent supporter of medical research, particularly in the field of psychiatry. She could have been a regular visitor to the Philadelphia Psychiatric Center, advocating for improved patient care and funding new research initiatives.
Another child, Thomas Stretch, may have chosen a career in medicine, inspired by the family's experiences. He could have trained at one of the city's renowned medical schools, such as Perelman School of Medicine, and then returned to work at the very hospital where his father's life was saved, Pennsylvania Hospital. Thomas specialized in cardiology, giving back to the community and saving lives just as his father's was saved years before.
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West Philadelphia hospitals
West Philadelphia has been home to several hospitals over the years, some of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Here is an overview of the history of hospitals in West Philadelphia, including those that were in operation in 1996.
Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital, located at 800 Spruce Street in Center City Philadelphia, is a private, non-profit teaching hospital with 515 beds. Founded in 1751, it was the second public hospital in the United States. The hospital's main building, dating back to 1756, is a National Historic Landmark. In 1996, Patricia A. Ford established the bloodless medicine program at Pennsylvania Hospital and performed the first successful bloodless stem-cell transplant. In 1997, the hospital merged with the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
The Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital
The Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, originally known as the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, was established in West Philadelphia in the 1840s. It gained a reputation for its humane treatment of the mentally ill, with patients residing in private, sanitary, and well-lit rooms. The hospital remained in operation until 1997 when declining revenues forced its closure.
Misericordia Hospital
Misericordia Hospital, located in West Philadelphia, was opened by the Sisters of Mercy in 1918. The hospital quickly expanded due to high demand, adding a west wing in 1921 and two additional wings over the years, bringing the total number of beds to 400 by 1968. Misericordia Hospital also served as a teaching center for doctors and nurses, with a training program established even before the hospital opened. In 1992, the hospital opened a new cancer treatment center, and in 1996, it established an emergency care facility. In 1997, the hospital was renamed Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia General Hospital
Philadelphia General Hospital, previously known as the Blockley Almshouse, was a sprawling institution in West Philadelphia that served as the city's only public hospital from 1834 to 1977. It played a crucial role in serving the indigent poor and providing public healthcare to the city's residents.
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St. Mary Hospital
St. Mary's Hospital, Philadelphia, was established in 1860 by the Sisters of St. Francis. The hospital was originally set up to meet a regional need for health services in Bucks County's most underserved area. In 1973, St. Mary's relocated to Bucks County, where it occupied land previously used as a horse farm.
In 1996, the hospital was renamed St. Mary Medical Center and designated an Eastern Region member of Catholic Health Initiatives. Today, St. Mary Medical Center is a non-profit hospital located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, employing over 700 physicians and 1,100 volunteers. The hospital has 373 beds and offers advanced non-invasive treatments, adult and pediatric emergency services, inpatient medical and rehabilitation facilities, and supportive health and wellness programs. St. Mary's has received the America's 100 Best Hospitals award for three consecutive years.
The hospital's focus on non-invasive treatments includes innovative and oxygen therapies using individualized, patient-centred treatment plans. This philosophy reflects the legacy of commitment inspired by the Sisters of St. Francis, who founded the hospital. St. Mary's also offers compassionate outpatient advanced wound management.
St. Mary Medical Center merged with Catholic Health East in 2013 and is now part of Trinity Health. The hospital expanded its campus in 2012 by adding a helicopter landing pad for patient transport and emergency services.
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Frequently asked questions
Some hospitals that were in Philadelphia before 1996 include:
- Pennsylvania Hospital
- Misericordia Hospital
- St. Mary Hospital
- Philadelphia General Hospital
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Presbyterian Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit, 515-bed teaching hospital located in Center City Philadelphia. It was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond and was the second public hospital in the United States.
Misericordia Hospital was a 100-bed hospital in West Philadelphia opened in 1918 by the Sisters of Mercy. The hospital expanded over the years, adding new wings and increasing the number of beds to 400 by 1968.
St. Mary Hospital was opened in Philadelphia in 1860 and was inspired by the Sisters of St. Francis. The hospital moved to Bucks County in 1973 and was renamed St. Mary Medical Center in 1996.
