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History of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

The history of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics can be traced back to 1873, when patient service began. The small medical department opened a hospital in conjunction with the Sisters of Mercy Catholic order. This lasted until 1885 when the two groups separated due to different priorities.

In 1898, the University of Iowa opened a new 65-bed hospital. This was built on the same site as the previous hospital, on the east side of the river. The most impressive feature of this institution was a 200-seat amphitheater for clinical instruction.

While the hospital remained on the east side, the University built the 150-bed Children’s Hospital in 1919 and the Psychopathic Hospital for those with mental illness in 1920.

After receiving a donation for $2.25 million from two Rockefeller foundations, the University of Iowa built the 770-bed modern University Hospital on the west side of the river. This facility remains as the foundation of the modern UI Hospitals & Clinics.

Medical Achievements

Along with a history of excellent patient care, UI Hospitals & Clinics and our doctors have been a part of a lot of important advances in medical science. The most well known of these are Ignacio Ponseti, MD, and his development of a method for treating clubfoot, and Elmer L. DeGowin, MD, and his development of a modern-day blood banking method. Continue reading about our accomplishments in our expanded list of medical achievements.

Timeline of Facilities

  • 1873: University of Iowa begins treated patients at the Mechanics Academy, a refurbished school building.
  • 1898: A 65-bed facility opens up University Hospital at what eventually became Seashore Hall.
  • 1919: Children’s Hospital opens on the west side of the river.
  • 1921: The Psycopathic Hospital (later known as the Psychiatric Hospital) opens.
  • 1928: The seven story, 770-bed General Hospital opens. It solidifies UI Hospitals & Clinics on the west side.
  • 1952: The 300-bed Veterans Administration Hospital opens in Iowa City.
  • 1974: UI Hospitals & Clinics begins an update of facilities that lasts through 2001.
  • 1976: Restored Boyd Tower opens.
  • 1985: Ronald McDonald House opens as a place for families of pediatric patients to stay be at home away from home.
  • 2017: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital opens.

Sidebar content

  • About Us
    • Job Seekers
      • Spring 2023 new employee incentive program
    • Mission, Vision, and Core Values
    • Leadership
    • Designations and Distinctions
      • Basic Facts
        • History
        • Medical Achievements
    • Quality and Safety
    • Academic Departments
    • Care Coordination Division/Social Services
      • Advance Directives
      • Care Coordination Division Continuing Education Program
      • Care Coordination Division Employment Opportunities
      • Care Coordination Division Patient Medication Assistance Program
      • Care Coordination Division Transportation Assistance and Resources
        • Bus and Shuttle Services
        • Wheelchair Services
      • Clinical Social Work Services
      • Food Assistance and Meal Delivery Programs
      • General Financial Assistance Resources
      • Health Care Benefits Assistance Program (HCBAP)
      • Honoring Your Wishes
      • Oncology Social Work
      • Social Service History
    • Critical Access Hospital Network
    • Ethics Consult Service
    • Info For Directory
      • Volunteer Services
        • Become a Volunteer
          • College Student Volunteers
            • College Student Leader Board
            • College Student Volunteer Placement Options
            • Mentor Program
          • Community/Staff Volunteers
          • Special Projects for Volunteers
        • Resources for Current Volunteers
          • Virtual Lunch & Learn Events
          • Volunteer Hours Submission
          • Volunteer Services - Request a Leave of Absence
        • Sponsored Businesses and Featured Programs
          • Furry Friends
            • Certified Dog Visit - Handler Guidelines
        • Volunteer Services Gift Cards
        • Where Does the Volunteer Services Money Go?
      • Donors
        • Donating Through the UI Center for Advancement
        • Donations
          • Frequently Asked Questions: In-Kind Gift Donations
      • Emergency Responders
        • Disaster Preparedness Is For Everyone
        • Ground Safety Education
      • Faculty & Staff
        • Clinical Staff Office
          • Clinical Staff - Verification Requests
        • Procurement Services
        • Tuition Reimbursement
        • Engineering Services
          • Engineering Services Faculty and Staff
          • Engineering Services Staff
          • Floor Plans
          • Work Order Request - Engineering Services
          • Work Order Request - Medical Instruments Shop
        • Material Services Department
          • Linen Services
          • Mail Services
          • Material Services - Processed Stores
          • Material Services - Shipping and Receiving
          • Uniform Shop
        • University Employee Health Clinic
          • Employee Flu Vaccinations
          • Frequently Asked Questions: University Employee Health Clinic
          • Pre-Employment Screening for Health Care Personnel
          • University of Iowa Employee Health Clinic Confidentiality Policy
          • University of Iowa Health Care Employee Services
            • UI Health Care Pre-Employment Health Screening Instructions
            • Communicable Disease Exposures and Reproductive Hazard Screenings
            • Respirator Fit Testing
            • Evaluation Following Exposure to Human Blood/Body Fluids
            • Special Population Screenings
            • Blood Pressure Monitoring Services for Employees
            • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
        • Health Professionals
          • Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation (CPSS)
            • Team-Based Simulation Design and Debriefing
          • Provider Resources
        • Web Privacy Policy
      • Partner Businesses
      • Researchers
      • Students and Trainees
        • Graduate Medical Education
    • Virtual Hospitalist Service for Rural Hospitals

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University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is part of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.