Today Newport Hospital raised a banner to officially begin celebrating an upcoming milestone in its history – a century and a half of serving the community. Founded in 1873, the hospital is entering its 150th year of providing top notch medical services to the people of Newport County and beyond.
“Newport Hospital has a culture steeped in history, hospitality, healing, health, and hope,” said Newport Hospital President Crista Durand. “As a community we honor and celebrate this momentous occasion in the hospital’s history, and together we will continue to move Newport Hospital forward for the next 150 years and beyond.”
Over the next year, there will be a series of events to commemorate the hospital’s rich history, and thank the many individuals who have helped make the institution what it is today – a 129-bed award-winning facility offering a wide range of essential, high-quality health care in Rhode Island.
“What a great day to honor Newport Hospital who has serviced families in the local Newport community and beyond for over 150 years”, said Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano.
”I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Newport Hospital on their 150th anniversary,” said Senator Louis DiPalma. “I am glad they are in District 12, and that I have the good fortune of representing them in the RI Senate. They are a recognized, vital part of our community and continue to play a critical role in our state’s healthcare delivery system.”
Founded and funded by local residents and its community, Newport Hospital began operation as a 12-bed cottage hospital on donated land. Henry Ledyard, a founding incorporator and trustee, was the hospital’s first president. Over the past century and a half, there have been many noteworthy dates and achievements at Newport Hospital, including:
- In 1893 Newport Hospital completed its first major expansion that added new, well-equipped operating rooms to accommodate advances in surgery and the increase in women who were opting to have their babies in a hospital instead of at home.
- On August 16, 1970, the hospital held a dedication day to open a new expanded main facility (Tower Building); U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell delivered the dedicatory address. Today, this eight-story building is home to the hospital’s ICU, medical/surgical unit, behavioral health unit, Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center, Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center, Norman Prince Spine Institute, Newport Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient practice, Vanderbilt wound care center, and Lifespan Cancer Institute.
- In 2000, the hospital opened a new wing and partnered with the nearby Naval Station Newport to offer services to the military.
- The hospital raised $12.5 million through their “Beyond the Building” campaign, which was used to expand and renovate the emergency department, nearly doubling the number of treatment rooms and overall footprint when completed in 2018.
- In 2021 the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at Newport Hospital underwent a transformative expansion, becoming the flagship inpatient rehabilitation center for all of Lifespan.
The schedule of 150th anniversary events is online at: https://www.lifespan.org/locations/newport-hospital/about-newport-hospital/newport-hospital-celebrating-150-years