Pennsylvania Hospital is the first hospital in the nation, founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. The hospital has a legacy of innovation: the first surgical amphitheater which served as an operating room from 1804-1868. The first medical library is still housed in our historic Pine Building with over 13,000 volumes — some printed before 1501. In 1765, Pennsylvania Hospital was the first U.S. hospital to deliver a baby. Today, we deliver more than 5,000 babies into the world every year.
