Most people had doubts about the possibility of opening a children’s hospital at the time of its founding. Despite this, “the little house on Castelar Street” later became one of the best in the world. I-los-angeles will tell you more about one of America’s leading teaching hospitals, a world leader in child and adolescent health care.
How it all started?
In 1900, a town meeting was held in downtown Los Angeles where a decision was made to plan the first children’s hospital. Back then, the number of local inhabitants was 102,479.
As early as April 1, 1901, a private charitable hospital was opened owing to the King’s Daughters. It was one of the city’s first active philanthropic organizations, for which Mrs. L.E.M. Brainerd was its first president.
The outset can be described as quite humble. After all, there were only four beds, plus only one volunteer physician working in the first year. But the needs were incredible, increasing in volume and scope every day.
In 1914, the ladies at South Bay, for example, formed the Hermosa Beach Auxiliary and raised funds for a convalescent home. The fundraising continued until 1925, becoming successful in 1930 when they opened the Thrift Shop, run solely by volunteers. That home no longer exists.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Interesting facts
The hospital’s history dates back to 1901, making it one of the oldest facilities in all of California. In the first year of the operation, the hospital’s medical staff admitted 14 patients. Soon after, a surgical suite was opened.
The average number of patients per year is 14600, with outpatient visits at 343,753 and emergency cases at about 72,000.
The approximate number of hospital employees is also of interest. For example, the total number of employees exceeds 6,400, of whom 862 are medical staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is leading the way
It is evident in the following achievements:
- Saban’s largest and most productive research institute operates within Children’s Hospital. The best pediatricians in the country are trained in this institution.
- It is a leader in cancer and blood treatment, setting the standard by performing over half of all bone marrow transplants in Los Angeles. The Children’s Hospital is home to the Cancer and Blood Disease Institute.
- The Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Neonatal and Infant Intensive Care Unit operate at the highest level.
- The Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine offers innovative treatment.
- One of the ambitious programs in Los Angeles is the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center.
- It has the most extensive pediatric ophthalmology program in the United States, the Vision Center.
- It is a world leader in children’s heart and lung disease treatment, the Heart Institute.
Facility Master Planning
For the medical facility to comply with regulations, master planning was performed by ZGF. It led to the implementation of the following projects:
- The existing research space for new initiatives was doubled.
- A new lower parking lot with 453 spaces, including a lobby, gardens and courtyard, has been organized.
- The building has seven floors, with an emergency helipad at the top.
A team of designers worked on the projects with the needs of patients and parents in mind.
Philanthropy
The nonprofit institution helps children and families every year and relies on the generosity of philanthropists in the community to support patient care, continue innovative research and provide quality medical education.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been repeatedly ranked high on U.S. News & World Report Children’s Hospital Honor Roll. It is a success of years of work, effort, and commitment to making medicine better and more accessible and children healthier.