Did you know that the Josefinum’s story began during World War I? It is more than just a hospital. It is a testament to compassion and community spirit.
In 1916, Joseph Mayer saw the plight of war orphans. He was an Oberlehrer. He teamed up with Johann Blödt. Blödt was a Stadtpfarrer. Together, they started a Kinderkrippenverein. This was a children’s day care association.
Two years later, in 1918, the Josefinum opened its doors on Kapellenstraße. It was a Krippentagesstätte. This is a day care center. It was placed under the patronage of Saint Joseph. Soon after, they added an infant ward. Ordensschwestern cared for the children. They came from the Kloster der Franziskanerinnen von Maria Stern. This is the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Maria Stern.
In 1923, the Katholische Jugendfürsorge took over. This is the Catholic Youth Welfare Office of the Diocese of Augsburg. They still run the Josefinum today. The name Josefinum wasn’t official until 1952. It marked Joseph Mayer’s 80th birthday.
The hospital expanded over the years. The obstetrics department opened in 1957. The women’s clinic followed in 1969. Pediatric units also arrived that year. Neonatology and pediatric surgery became Josefinum specialties earlier.
In 1978, the district of Swabia entrusted the hospital. It was for child and adolescent psychiatric care. This grew. Outposts opened in Kempten and Nördlingen. A pediatric psychosomatics department came in 2000. In 2018, they added oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Since 2011, the Josefinum has been undergoing renovations. The process continues into 2024.
Today, the Josefinum has 393 beds. It also handles many outpatient treatments. Over 1000 people work here. They include doctors and other staff. The Josefinum covers many fields. These include gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, and child psychiatry.
The women’s clinic is famous. It is known as a birth hospital. It delivers over 3000 babies each year. In 2021, its labor ward was the fourth largest in Germany. The clinic includes a perinatal center and a prenatal diagnostics unit. The Josefinum specializes in minimally invasive treatments. These treat gynecological issues. Examples are endometriosis and myomas.
The Josefinum offers confidential and anonymous births. This protects the mother’s identity. This is allowed by a law from May 1, 2014. The law supports pregnant women. The Josefinum is a certified breast center. This means it meets high standards for breast cancer treatment.
The children’s clinic treats all ages. They care for newborns to young adults. They offer general pediatrics and specialized care. Examples are gastroenterology, sleep medicine, and allergology.
The child and adolescent psychiatry clinic has three locations. They are in Augsburg, Nördlingen, and Kempten. The Josefinum also trains medical students. It is a teaching hospital for Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
The Josefinum stands as a beacon of care. It helps families. It provides specialized medicine. It has a rich history. It started from humble beginnings. It is a vital part of Augsburg.