News

September 24, 2014

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Celebrates 100th Anniversary in Brighton

 

 

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley delivers the homily during the 100th Anniversary in Brighton Mass at Seton Chapel Monday at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.

 

 

Dr. Kevin O’Donnell, chief of surgery and the Medical Staff President at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center performed a reading during a special 100th Anniversary in Brighton Mass celebrated at Seton Chapel at the hospital on Monday.

 

 

St. Elizabeth’s Patient Care Manager Judith Antonelli and Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley share a laugh following a 100th Anniversary in Brighton Mass at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center on Monday.

 

 

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley offers a blessing during the recessional at the 100th Anniversary in Brighton Mass at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center on Monday.

 

 

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center President Kevin R. Hannifan, left, accepts a citation from state Sen. Will Brownsberger, during a 100th Anniversary in Brighton celebration at the medical center on Monday. Brownsberger, State Rep. Kevin Honan and Boston City Councilor Mark Ciommo each presented citations to Hannifan.

 

Mass with Cardinal O’Malley highlights event

BRIGHTON, MA – St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Tufts University and a member of Steward Health Care, celebrates its 100th anniversary in Brighton this month. A Mass with Cardinal Seán O’Malley highlighted the observance on Monday, September 22, 2014 and many members of the community including local legislators, business leaders and St. Elizabeth’s health care partners participated.

“This is a wonderful moment in our history. For 100 years we have been a part of the fabric of the community of Brighton, caring for people in what is often their time of greatest need,” said Kevin R. Hannifan, president of St. Elizabeth’s.

The Medical Center marked the century milestone on September 1. The hospital’s roots date back to 1868 when five Catholic women started St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to care for sick immigrant women and as a place of shelter for retired and feeble women in domestic service. St. Elizabeth’s quickly gained prestige as a “Women’s Hospital” especially in the field of gynecology. In 1882 the hospital opened its doors to men and by that time services had grown to treating “practically every form of human ailment,” according to a hospital history.

Cardinal O’Malley was the main celebrant at a Mass in Seton Chapel at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, 736 Cambridge Street. Afterward during a reception, the Cardinal congratulated employees on their commitment to providing care to the community.

”Generations have received compassionate and a high quality of care from the dedicated professionals at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center,” Cardinal Seán said.  “A fixture in the community, we are blessed by its presence serving those most in need.”

State Senator Will Brownsbeger, state Rep. Kevin Honan and Boston City Councilor Mark Ciommo each presented St. Elizabeth’s President, Kevin Hannifan, with citations to mark the historical occasion.

The start of St. Elizabeth’s, whose construction in Brighton was originally funded by donations collected through the Archdiocese of Boston in a feverish 10-day campaign, laid a solid foundation for the future. Through the years more buildings were added, and, 100 years later, the medical center continues to grow. St. Elizabeth’s opened a new state-of-the-art ICU last fall, and this year is completing construction on two additional operating rooms. St. Elizabeth’s has expanded its surgical program in the past year and next month will welcome a third cardiac surgeon to the Steward Center for Advanced Cardiac Surgery at St. Elizabeth’s. Earlier this year the Medical Center became a satellite of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for treatment of benign and oncologic blood diseases and disorders. St. Elizabeth’s also partners with Boston Children’s Hospital for providing neonatal intensive care in its Level III nursery, one of few in the region.

“We continue to attract top-notch talented and skilled surgeons and primary care physicians,” Hannifan said. “Our goal is to provide our patients with the best health care and patient experience in a convenient location close to home. We are proud of our history and look forward to our future.”

St. Elizabeth’s At a Glance:

·         Licensed Beds: 252

·         Discharges –Yearly average: 13,502

·         Emergency Visits – 31,326

·         Births – 956

·         Employees – 2,200

·         Physicians – 600

Historical Photos:

Historical photos from the Allston-Brighton Historical Society available at: http://www.bahistory.org/StElizabeths.html

 

About St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center is a major academic medical center affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine.  Areas of medical excellence include vascular and endovascular surgery, cardiology, neurosciences, general and robotic surgery, bariatric surgery, women’s health, high-risk obstetrics, bone and joint health, hematology/oncology, pulmonary medicine and emergency medicine.  St. Elizabeth’s is a member of Steward Health Care, which is the second largest health care system in New England.  Visit St. Elizabeth’s online at www.semc.org

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