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Marking a Heritage of Hope, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Observes Its 150th Anniversary

Posted on: Friday, 18 November 2005, 12:00 CST

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the nation's first hospital exclusively for children, celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding today. Hospital employees and leaders joined young patients, families, public officials, high-achieving adults who are former patients, and former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., D.Sci., in festivities in the Hospital's main atrium.

"Today we trace a path of discovery and innovation that stretches 150 years, a path that begins in Philadelphia, but reaches to every corner of the globe," said Hospital President and CEO Steven M. Altschuler, M.D., adding, "We have so much to look back on with pride. But we have so much more to look forward to as we work to advance healthcare for children and eradicate pediatric disease."

"Much has changed in 150 years," added Tristram C. Colket, Vice Chairman of the Children's Hospital Board of Trustees. "But what has remained constant is the Hospital's passionate pursuit of answers and the complete and utter dedication of its staff to the patients and families in their care."

Speaking at the ceremony was a special guest: C. Everett Koop, M.D., D.Sci., the U.S. Surgeon General from 1981 to 1989, who served as surgeon-in- chief at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from 1948 to 1981. Also speaking was developmental pediatrician Dana McMullin, M.D., who was an oncology patient at Children's Hospital in her childhood, and whose early hospital experiences inspired her to enter a career in medicine.

Participants in the anniversary celebration shared pieces of a three-foot- high birthday cake as the Philadelphia Boys Choir sang "Happy Birthday." Musicians On Call, sponsored by WXPN-FM, performed throughout the Hospital. A display of historical photographs from the Hospital's archives highlighted the institution's rich heritage of caring for generations of children.

This evening brought a screening of "The Incredibles" in the Hospital's main cafeteria, with the movie also playing on the Hospital TV channel in patient rooms.

150-Year Legacy of Pediatric Healthcare and the Birthplace of Pediatric Medicine in the U.S.

Throughout its 150-year history, Children's Hospital has been the birthplace of many dramatic firsts in pediatric medicine and has fostered medical discoveries and innovations that have improved pediatric healthcare, and saved countless children's lives. Some examples include:

-- First formal medical training for pediatric doctors -- First neonatal surgical and pediatric intensive care unit in the nation -- First follow-up program for long-term survivors of childhood cancer -- First to develop the closed incubator for newborns -- First to develop the balloon catheter for the treatment of certain congenital heart defects -- First to develop vaccines for mumps, whooping cough and influenza -- First to offer subspecialty training in pediatric emergency medicine

Advances in medical and surgical treatments pioneered at Children's Hospital enable many children to survive once fatal childhood illnesses, like congenital heart disease, cancer and complications of prematurity. Physicians and researchers now focus on addressing the long-term outcomes and health issues affecting these children to improve the quality of life for this new generation of survivors.

Founded on Nov. 23, 1855 with 12 beds and a dispensary on Blight St. (now Watts St.) in Philadelphia, Children's Hospital was the first hospital in the United States dedicated exclusively to the care of children. Today, the Hospital has 430 beds, as well as an extensive pediatric healthcare network with nearly 50 locations.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the leading pediatric hospitals and research facilities in the world; the institution's 150 years of innovation and service to patients and families and to the community reflects an ongoing commitment to exceptional patient care, innovative research and training new generations of pediatric healthcare providers.

The Hospital has been ranked as the nation's best pediatric hospital by Child magazine and by U.S. News & World Report. Child Magazine also ranked Children's Hospital's cardiac center, neonatology, oncology and orthopaedics departments number one in the nation.

Note: For more about The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's 150th anniversary, see the multimedia news release at http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/chop/23103/, for historical photos, a video news release on child passenger safety and current stories of children receiving remarkable treatment for cancer, heart disease, and birth defects.

Contact: Peggy Flynn (267) 426-6080 Flynnp@email.chop.edu

Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/chop/23103

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

CONTACT: Peggy Flynn, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia,+1-267-426-6080, Flynnp@email.chop.edu

Web site: http://www.chop.edu/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/159681.html

Source: PRNewswire

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