Continuing a Legacy of Innovation

Alicia Gresham
CEO, Pennsylvania Hospital
University of Pennsylvania Health System

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.

I am honored to be the first Black CEO at Pennsylvania Hospital and within the University of Pennsylvania Health System, continuing the legacy of “firsts”.

My role as CEO is a “full circle” moment for me. I began my career at the University of Pennsylvania Health System starting in practice management and moving on to serve in roles with increasing responsibility. I left Penn to pursue a leadership role at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where I had the opportunity to build an expansive network of primary care and specialty care centers in the greater Philadelphia region. My experience building integrated ambulatory networks led me to Mount Sinai in New York, where I expanded the health system’s ambulatory presence across the five boroughs of New York, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey and Florida.

I’m excited to return to Philadelphia and to the health system that gave me a wonderful foundation as a leader. I am humbled by the hugs, emails and hallway conversations that remind me of the importance of my presence as a role model to staff, students and physicians.

I am committed to continuing the legacy of innovation in care delivery, education and research at Pennsylvania Hospital. I’m also committed to creating space for other women of color to be the next generation of innovators.