Kaiser Richmond Field Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kaiser Richmond Field Hospital
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in San Francisco Bay Area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1330 Cutting Boulevard, Richmond, California |
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| Area | Iron Triangle/Cutting Boulevard Corridor |
| Built | 1942 |
| Architectural style | subdued conmmertial Moderne, white stucco |
| Part of | Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park (ID01000287) |
| Designated CP | January 31, 2001 |
The Kaiser Richmond Field Hospital was a very important hospital in Richmond, California. It was the first hospital started by Kaiser Permanente. This hospital is now a historic site. It is part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The hospital served the people in nearby communities. It stayed open until 1995. Then, a new hospital called the Richmond Medical Center took its place. The old field hospital is now closed. It is still in its original spot in South Richmond. You can find it along Cutting Boulevard.
Why the Hospital Was Needed
During World War II, many American workers were building ships and supplies. Sadly, more workers were hurt or died in accidents at home than soldiers on the battlefield. This was true until June 1944.
Henry J. Kaiser owned the Richmond Shipyards. He knew that healthy workers were key. They needed to meet the huge demands of wartime production. So, he started a new idea: pre-paid medical care for workers. This idea soon grew to include their families too. For many workers, it was their first time seeing a doctor.
How the Hospital Worked
The Kaiser Richmond Field Hospital opened on August 10, 1942. The United States Maritime Commission helped pay for it. Kaiser's Permanente Foundation ran the hospital. Dr. Sidney R. Garfield was the Medical Director.
This hospital was part of a three-level healthcare system.
- First, there were six First Aid Stations. These were well-equipped and located at each shipyard.
- Second, the Field Hospital was the middle level. It handled many different cases.
- Third, the main Permanente Hospital in Oakland treated the most serious patients.
These facilities served workers who joined the Permanente Health Plan. This plan was one of the first pre-paid medical plans in the country. It was a big step towards today's health maintenance organizations (HMOs).
By August 1944, most Richmond shipyard workers had joined the plan. This was the first plan of its kind in the country. It offered group medical care and pre-payment on a large scale. After the war, families of workers could also join. By 1990, Kaiser Permanente was the biggest non-profit HMO in the U.S.
The hospital was built simply. It was a single-story wooden building. This was partly because materials were limited during wartime. It started with only 10 beds for emergencies. By 1944, it had grown to 160 beds. The Field Hospital worked as a Kaiser Permanente hospital until it closed in 1995.
What Happened to the Hospital Building
Today, the land where the hospital stands is owned by Masjeed Al-Noor. Kaiser sold the building in the late 1990s. This happened after the new Richmond Medical Center opened. The building was then used as a mosque.
In 2014, the building was closed because of its condition. However, the site is still important for history. In 2007, special bus tours began. These tours had local residents on board. They shared their own stories from the past. This helped visitors understand the history of the area better.
