Pennsylvania Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pennsylvania Hospital |
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| University of Pennsylvania Health System | |
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Main building of Pennsylvania Hospital
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 Location in Pennsylvania
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| Geography | |
| Location | 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°56′41.2″N 75°9′22.56″W / 39.944778°N 75.1562667°W |
| Organization | |
| Care system | Private |
| Funding | Non-profit hospital |
| Hospital type | Teaching |
| Affiliated university | Perelman School of Medicine |
| Network | University of Pennsylvania Health System |
| Services | |
| Beds | 515 |
| History | |
| Founded | 1751 |
Pennsylvania Hospital is a private, non-profit hospital in Center City, Philadelphia. It has 515 beds and is a teaching hospital, meaning it helps train new doctors. It is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
The hospital was started on May 11, 1751. It was founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. This makes Pennsylvania Hospital one of the very first public hospitals in the United States. It is also home to America's first surgical room for teaching and its first medical library. The main building of the hospital was built in 1756. It is now a special place called a National Historic Landmark.
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History of Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital was first thought of in 1751 by Dr. Thomas Bond. He wanted a place to help "sick poor" people for free. Benjamin Franklin helped get a law passed to fund it. Franklin was very happy about this success.
On September 2, 1751, Mathias Koplin gave the first piece of land for the hospital. The first temporary building opened on February 6, 1752. It was located on High Street, which is now Market Street. Elizabeth Gardner, a Quaker widow, became the hospital's first Matron. Many important families in Philadelphia supported the hospital. This helped make sure it would last. Samuel Rhoads was chosen as the architect for the new main building.
Early Supporters and Funding
Thomas Stretch was an important citizen of Philadelphia. He was one of the people who helped start Pennsylvania Hospital. He was also part of Benjamin Franklin's fire company. Thomas Stretch and his family were Quakers.
In 1755, Thomas Stretch was one of the biggest donors to the hospital fund. Benjamin Franklin also gave a large amount. The Stretch family and Benjamin Franklin together provided half of the money to start the hospital.
Growth and Development
In 1755, construction began on the East Wing of the hospital. This became its permanent home at 8th and Pine Streets. All patients moved from the temporary hospital to the new building on December 17, 1756. The hospital continued to grow over the years. More wings and buildings were added, like the West Wing in 1796.
Pennsylvania Hospital became known for new ideas and medical progress. It was a teaching hospital from the very beginning. Dr. Bond would teach students by walking through the hospital wards. In its early years, it was also known for its good care of patients with mental illness. At that time, mental illness was not well understood. Patients were often treated poorly elsewhere.
In 1841, care for mentally ill patients moved to West Philadelphia. A new hospital was built just for them. It was called the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. Later, it became known as The Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital. Under its leader, Thomas Story Kirkbride, this hospital developed new ways to treat mental illness. These methods became common in the 1800s.
By 1950, Pennsylvania Hospital had many specialized departments. These included a special unit for brain patients and a heart care unit. It also had centers for bone problems, diabetes, and cancer.
The hospital has also helped treat soldiers wounded in wars. Patients were brought here during the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, and the Spanish–American War. Hospital teams were also sent overseas to help in World War I and World War II.
The hospital's official seal was chosen by Franklin and Bond. It shows the story of the Good Samaritan. The words on the seal say: "Take Care of Him and I will repay Thee."
In 1997, Pennsylvania Hospital joined the University of Pennsylvania Health System. This larger health system helps support the hospital with its many resources. In 2001, Pennsylvania Hospital celebrated its 250th birthday.
Historic Firsts at the Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital is famous for many "firsts" in American medicine.
America's First Medical Library
In 1762, the first book for the hospital's medical library was given by John Fothergill. He was a British friend of Benjamin Franklin. In 1847, the American Medical Association called this library the first and most important medical library in the United States. At that time, it had about 9,000 books.
Today, the library has over 13,000 books. Some of these books date back to the 1400s. It has the most complete collection of medical books published between 1750 and 1850 in the country.
First Surgical Amphitheater
The top floor of Pennsylvania Hospital holds the nation's oldest surgical amphitheater. This was the operating room from 1804 to 1868. Surgeries were done during sunny hours, usually between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. This was because there was no electricity for lights back then. The room could seat 180 people. With standing room, up to 300 people could watch a surgery.
First Physic Garden
The idea for a Physic Garden was first suggested in 1774. This garden would grow plants used for making medicines. The plan was approved, but it took two centuries to happen. In 1976, the garden was finally planted. It is located in front of the Pine Building's West Wing. The garden has plants that were used in the 1700s. These plants helped with things like heart problems, toothaches, and upset stomachs.
Pioneering Women's Health Care
Pennsylvania Hospital is known for its many firsts in women's medicine. In 1803, the hospital opened a "lying-in" or maternity department. This department helped women during childbirth.
In 1929, the Woman's Building (now the Spruce Building) opened. It was a very modern hospital building for its time. It had 150 beds for adults and 80 bassinets for babies. It also had operating rooms and delivery rooms. This was important because women's medicine was not always seen as important back then. Most births still happened at home.
Later, the hospital continued to lead in women's health.
- In 1978, it opened the first Antenatal Testing Unit in the region. This unit helps check on babies before they are born.
- In 1985, the first GIFT (Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer) pregnancy in Philadelphia happened here.
- In 1987, the hospital opened the first birthing suite in a major hospital in the state. It also started the first programs for gestational carriers and egg donors in the Delaware Valley.
- In 1995, the hospital was the first in the region to have 1,000 live births using special fertility treatments.
Famous Doctors at Pennsylvania Hospital
Many important doctors have worked at Pennsylvania Hospital.
- Benjamin Rush (1783-1813): He was a medical teacher and a social reformer. He also signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Philip Syng Physick (1794-1816): He became famous for his great surgical skills.
- C. Everett Koop (intern in 1941): He later became the Surgeon General of the United States from 1982 to 1989.
- Andrew von Eschenbach (intern in 1963): He served as the head of the United States FDA.
- Patricia A. Ford (since 1996): She is the Director for the Center of Bloodless Medicine. In 1995, she performed the first bloodless stem cell transplant.
Images for kids
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Main building of Pennsylvania Hospital
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Penn Medicine and University of Pennsylvania Health System logo
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The Pennsylvania Hospital by William Strickland (1755)
