Egleston Hospital

In 1928, a beacon of hope opened its doors in Atlanta. Egleston Hospital for Children, a 52-bed facility, began its mission to heal and comfort the city’s youngest patients. Egleston Hospital quickly became a vital part of the community. In its first year alone, it treated 605 children. The hospital was originally located in the Old Fourth Ward on Forrest Avenue. This area is now known as Ralph McGill Blvd. Egleston even housed the Dolly Blalock Black Memorial Garden. This was a tribute to Elizabeth “Dolly” Blalock. She was the wife of Eugene R. Black, Sr., a prominent figure who served as president of the World Bank. Egleston’s connection to education deepened in the 1950s. It became the pediatric teaching hospital for Emory University School of Medicine. This partnership led to Egleston relocating to the university’s campus in 1959. Over the years, Egleston Hospital saw several expansions. One notable addition was the George and Irene Woodruff Pavilion in 1981. The hospital also expanded its capacity by 70 beds in 1993. The 1990s marked a period of significant growth for Egleston. The Center for Child Advocacy was established in 1992. The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center followed in 1995. Then the Sibley Heart Center opened in 1997. A major shift occurred in 1998. Egleston Children’s Health Care System merged with Scottish Rite Medical Center. This union created Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. It became one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the United States. In 2018, the City of Atlanta annexed the land encompassing Egleston Hospital, bringing it officially within city limits. Egleston continued its dedication to nursing excellence. It earned Magnet recognition in June 2023. This prestigious award, given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is the highest international honor for nursing care. Another milestone came in October 2023. Egleston’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was designated a Level IV Neonatal Center. It was the first NICU in Georgia to receive this recognition. On September 29, 2024, Egleston Hospital’s clinical services transitioned to the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital. This marked the end of an era for Egleston. While the future of the original Egleston campus remains undetermined, its legacy of care and healing will forever be etched in Atlanta’s history.