Over a century ago, six Glendale community members aspired to bring quality healthcare services to South Glendale residents. Their original vision eventually manifested itself in the form of the Glendale Physicians & Surgeons Hospital, which formally opened its doors and admitted its first official patient in 1926. Over the years, it continued to evolve and expand its facilities, capabilities, and fields of expertise in an enduring effort to provide quality patient care to Los Angeles residents. Ninety-years and millions of patients later, the Glendale Memorial Hospital has become an integral part of the community and is recognized as a top-performing hospital.
Glendale Memorial Hospital is a full service medical care facility consisting of 334 beds staffed by 500 physicians, 1,000 employees, and 400 volunteers. The recipient of numerous accreditations and annual recognitions, it remains committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care, advocating for the disenfranchised, and ultimately improving the quality of life for others. Glendale Memorial recently became a part of Dignity Health, the nation’s fifth-largest healthcare provider.
To celebrate 90 years of top-tier healthcare services, below is a timeline highlighting some of Glendale Memorial’s landmark moments throughout history:
The Very Beginning
1903
The future site of Glendale Memorial.
In 1923, acknowledging a shortage of hospital beds, six community members began formulating a vision to add a hospital complex to serve locals.
Founders
Dr. H.C. Smith
Dr. Orrie E. Ghrist
Dr. H. Russel Boyer
Dr. Oscar A. Dieterich
Louis G. Scovern
Mrs. M.P. Moberly
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Opening Day
January 13, 1926
Glendale Physicians & Surgeons Hospital officially opens and admits its first patient. Her name is Mrs. Edward W. Russell, and she receives her operation that very day.
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100,000th Patient Admitted
April 18, 1954
Mrs. Wendell Noble was the 100,000th patient to be admitted to the hospital.
Under the care of attending physician Dr. William J. Matousek, she gave birth to a baby girl named Julie Gwen.
To celebrate this milestone, her stay was “on the house.”
Shortly after, Glendale Physicians & Surgeons Hospital becomes Glendale Memorial Hospital.
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Glendale Memorial Welcomes Five Story Addition
June 16, 1957
Dedicated on a Sunday afternoon, this addition expanded the overall bed capacity to 220 and also contained new operating, maternity, and laboratory facilities.
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First Open Heart Surgery Performed
June 3, 1974
A landmark moment for Glendale Memorial Hospital.
Doctors John Penido, Bert Cotton, Carter Printup, and Harry Brown performed the procedure.
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A Decade of Expansion Begins
1980
The new Memorial Medical Building opens its doors, followed by a much needed
four-story parking structure and the Edith Homan Health Resources Center.
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Glendale Memorial 60th Anniversary
1986
Celebrating 60 years of humankindness.
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Heart Center Opens
1992
Featuring state-of-the-art facilities, the Heart Center ushered in a new era of cardiovascular services and programs. It continues to garner accolades to this day.
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Today
Glendale Memorial is proud of its rich heritage, and will continue providing care and compassion to the community as it has for the last 90 years.
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Want to learn more about the history of Glendale Memorial? Click here or view and download the entire 90th Anniversary slideshow below:
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