The history of The Miriam Hospital began in 1902 with a small group of women determined to obtain enough money for a down payment of $1,000 for "a place to care for the indigent sick of the Jewish faith." That came to more than $37,000 by today’s count.
The women deployed the tradition of the tzedakah box, also known by its Yiddish word, pushke, a receptacle for collecting money that is designated for charity. The Hebrew word tzedakah comes from the root tzedek, meaning justice.
Since then, extraordinary generosity has been the catalyst for The Miriam Hospital. To fulfill the women's dream, hundreds of people joined their cause going door to door, raising $80,000 in just four weeks. Thanks to their efforts, the first Miriam Hospital opened in 1926 with 63 beds and 14 bassinets. Today, The Miriam has 247 licensed beds and is recognized internationally for the high-quality patient care it provides for a wide and diverse population.
At the turn of the twentieth century, a small group of Jewish women in Rhode Island envisioned available and affordable healthcare for their community. Through their charitable tradition of “pushke” boxes, they founded The Miriam Hospital.
Read about the unearthing of The Miriam Hospital time capsule (JewishRhody.com)
With humble beginnings dating more than a century ago, The Miriam Hospital has accelerated access to high-quality healthcare for all Rhode Islanders and nearby neighboring states, while becoming a premier healthcare provider with world class programs, treatments, and providers.
From its groundbreaking 1932 operation—the first successful lung removal in America performed on a young girl—to its pioneering role in 21st-century medicine as the first hospital in Rhode Island to offer robot-assisted surgery, The Miriam Hospital has stood as a pillar of innovation, compassion, and excellence in care. As a vital part of a world-class healthcare system, The Miriam continues to set the standard for patient-centered excellence. For 13 consecutive years, it has been the top-ranked hospital in Rhode Island by U.S. News & World Report, most recently in the 2024 to 2025 rankings. Since 1998, The Miriam has also earned Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence—an elite distinction achieved by only four hospitals worldwide for seven consecutive cycles—underscoring its unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality care.
As it celebrates its centennial year, The Miriam Hospital honors its legacy of healing while boldly building the future of medicine for the next 100 years.
The experiences of those who have come through our doors have filled a century with stories of healing, health, and hope. Is one of the stories yours? We’re inviting everyone to be a part of our centennial celebration.
After 75 years hidden inside The Miriam Hospital’s cornerstone, a time capsule finally saw the light of day during a special event kicking off construction of a new building and the countdown to The Miriam’s centennial celebration in 2026.
Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN, president, The Miriam Hospital, and chief quality executive, Brown University Health, and Jeffrey Brier, former chairman of The Miriam Hospital, reveal one of the many memories contained in the time capsule.
Now through 2026, we’ll be celebrating a century of milestones—reflecting on our remarkable history while setting our sights on a future that continues to surpass the boldest dreams of our founders and the generations of patients, caregivers, partners, and community members who have shaped our story.
We invite you to visit these pages for updates on events, activities, and news for and about our centennial.
