Imagine Salt Lake City in 1872. The transcontinental railroad had just been completed. Utah was still a territory. It was nearly a quarter century from statehood.
That was when Saint Marks Hospital began. It was born from a pressing need. The area had few physicians. It had no hospitals in the Intermountain West. Bishop Daniel Tuttle of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church stepped up.
Bishop Tuttle recognized the urgent need. He wanted a place where the sick and injured could receive care. He enlisted Reverend R.M. Kirby and Dr. John F. Hamilton. Together, they raised funds. They secured contributions from mining companies. They sold subscriptions to mine workers. They even held charity balls.
In 1872, Saint Marks Hospital opened. It was Utah’s first hospital. It started in a rented adobe house. It was located at 500 East and 400 South. The small hospital had only six beds. Reverend Kirby was its first superintendent. Dr. Hamilton served as chief medical director. Bishop Tuttle joined the board of trustees.
The hospital quickly became essential. It often treated as many as 20 patients a day. In 1879, Saint Marks Hospital moved. It went one block north to 300 South. This move doubled its capacity.
Saint Marks Hospital continued to grow. In 1890, the board approved a new location. It was at 200 West and 700 North. A new brick building was erected. Saint Marks Hospital officially opened there in 1893.
The location was strategic. Mineral hot springs were nearby. People believed they could cure diseases.
Over time, Salt Lake Valley changed. Residential communities moved south. The area around Saint Marks Hospital became industrial. Refineries and railyards took over.
So, in 1973, Saint Marks Hospital moved again. It found a new home at 3900 South. This is in present-day Millcreek.
Dr. Roy McDonald predicted the new location would thrive. He was right. Saint Marks Hospital has continued to expand.
Saint Marks Hospital has celebrated many “firsts” in Utah. It introduced the first private insurance. Miners and rail workers paid a flat fee. This entitled them to medical care. Saint Marks Hospital also opened the first nursing school in the Mountain West in 1894. In 1895, it launched Utah’s first ambulance service. A horse-drawn ambulance transported patients.
Saint Marks Hospital opened Utah’s first maternal and children’s ward in 1900. It introduced the first X-ray machine in 1902. The hospital established Utah’s first volunteer program in 1955.
Saint Marks Hospital has been more than just a building. It has been a place of healing. Its spirit of care has remained constant. It is still advancing care in the state.
Today, Saint Marks Hospital is a 317-bed facility. It continues to grow. It meets the evolving needs of the community. It provides superior healthcare. The hospital treats patients as if they were family.
Saint Marks Hospital stands as a testament to the vision. It is a legacy of care. It has been serving Utah since 1872. Its story continues to unfold. It embraces healthcare advancements. It demonstrates a commitment to improving human life.