Pennsylvania Hospital

Pennsylvania Hospital. . , Pennsylvania Hospital was America's first hospital, founded in 1751 by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin. Dr. Bond had recently returned from London where he observed newly established hospitals. Franklin, the organizing genius, helped convince Philadelphia's leading citizens of the need for such a novel institution. Thanks to Bond and Franklin, Philadelphia became the nation's first major medical center., Designed by Samuel Rhoads, master builder and good friend of Franklin, the Pine Building of Pennsylvania Hospital was built in three sections, beginning with the East Wing in 1756. Before that, the small hospital staff cared for patients in temporary quarters at Judge Kinsey's house on High (now Market) Street. The West Wing was added in 1797 and the Center Building in 1804. The Pine Building is considered one of the finest examples of 18th century American colonial architecture., In the Pine Building, Dr. Thomas Bond took his students on ward rounds and thus began the clinical study of medicine in America. Dr. Benjamin Rush, the most eminent physician of his day and a pioneer in the treatment of the mentally ill, also practiced here. Dr. Philip Syng Physick, the father of American surgery, operated in the famous surgical amphitheater., Today, Pennsylvania Hospital still houses the amphitheater and the unique medical library which was the finest in the colonies and which contains collections important in the history of medicine. Also on display are various artifacts as well as paintings by Thomas Sully, Benjamin West and Thomas Keakins., [Captions:] , The Founders , Thomas Bond, M.D. , Benjamin Franklin, The East Wing of the hospital (right) completed in 1756, was located eight blocks west of the settled portion of the city, with only the House of Employment and the Almshouse and a few scattered houses as neighbors., In 1804, Pennsylvania Hospital completed the last and central section of the hospital as originally conceived., The restored surgical amphitheater.