What if these walls could talk? They would tell tales of medical innovation and compassionate care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. It is a nonprofit academic medical center in New York City. Let’s step inside and discover its story.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s history stretches back to 1771. Edinburgh Medical School graduate Samuel Bard founded it as New York Hospital. King George III granted it a Royal Charter. It later became associated with Weill Cornell Medical College in 1898. NewYork-Presbyterian is the third oldest hospital in the United States. Bellevue Hospital was founded earlier in 1736. Pennsylvania Hospital was founded in 1751.
Payne Whitney significantly expanded the hospital in 1927. His leadership helped grow the hospital’s endowment. It reached over $20 million. The Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic honors his contributions. Prominent donors have included Howard Hughes and William Randolph Hearst. Harry and Leona Helmsley also contributed as did Maurice R Greenberg. James Lenox founded the Presbyterian Hospital in 1868. He was a New York philanthropist. Samuel Bard also founded Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1767.
In 1910, Columbia University and Presbyterian Hospital affiliated. This formed the world’s first academic health center. The merger combined existing institutions. Edward S Harkness and Anna Harkness purchased land in the 1920s. They funded the construction of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Both institutions fully moved there in 1928. The Sloane Hospital for Women was incorporated in 1925. It was a leader in obstetrics and gynecology. It had been founded in 1886. In 1928, Sloane moved to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. The Squier Urological Clinic and the Vanderbilt Clinic also moved there.
The family of Libby Zion filed a lawsuit involving New York Hospital. Libby Zion was admitted in 1984. She died while under the care of overworked residents. The Bell Commission investigated the case. It led to restrictions on resident work hours. Accredited physicians were required to oversee their care. This regulation became known as the Libby Zion law. These reforms were adopted nationwide. The New York and Presbyterian Hospital was chartered in 1996. It was formed in 1998. This happened with the merger of New York Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital. The merger was announced on January 1 1998.
The hospital began to offer remote services in the 2010s. A telemedicine service allows remote follow-up care. A CAT-equipped ambulance allows stroke care outside the hospital. A remote second opinion program uses Grand Rounds technology.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital was central to the COVID-19 pandemic response. This was in the spring of 2020. The hospital tripled its ICU bed capacity and ventilator support. Teams pioneered techniques to assist two patients with one ventilator. The hospital shared these techniques nationwide. Baker Field and Columbia Soccer Stadium became a 288-bed field hospital. It was completed in under two weeks.
Over 1000 people volunteered at the hospital. They came from various medical centers. In November 2020, a team from the hospital supported Utah. They helped with surging cases. Ray Dalio’s gift launched the Dalio Center for Health Justice in October 2020. It focuses on reducing healthcare access differences. These differences affect communities of color.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital includes various outlying hospitals. They had been affiliates of NewYork or Presbyterian. These hospitals are throughout New York City. They stretch across Long Island Westchester County and New Jersey. The hospital manages NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. It is a network of independent hospitals and facilities.
Steven Corwin MD is the hospital system’s chief executive officer as of 2024. The institution’s facilities include NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is another.
In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital seventh-best in the United States. Every specialty ranked in the top 50. Several ranked in the top 10 nationally. These included cardiology and heart surgery and neurology and neurosurgery.
NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Services has operated since 1981. It provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance services. It also provides stand-by EMS services for events.
The ABC documentary series NY Med features NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Marvel Comics’ Doctor Strange completed his residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
From its humble beginnings to its modern-day achievements NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has touched countless lives. It continues to be a beacon of hope and healing in New York City.