History
Since 1893, Lancaster General Health (LG Health) has been meeting the healthcare needs of our community. The timeline below puts our growth from a hospital located in a three-story house on Queen Street in Lancaster City to a regional healthcare organization with locations throughout Lancaster County, in historical context.
Timeline of Historical Highlights by Decade
1890-1910
Surgery is now common, especially for removing tumors, infected tonsils, appendectomies and gynecological operations. The American Medical Association becomes a powerful force. Progressive reformers argue for health insurance. Toward the end of the decade, American hospitals become modern scientific institutions, valuing antiseptics and cleanliness, and using medications for the relief of pain.
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1893
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Lancaster General Hospital (LGH) begins serving the needs of our community in December 1893 in a three-story brick residence at 322 N. Queen St., Lancaster.
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1896
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The hospital relocates to a private mansion at 530-532 N. Lime St.
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1897
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The first baby, Dorothy Miller, is born on January 9.
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1903
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A formal nurses’ training school is established with the first nurses graduating in 1905.
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1910-1920
After disturbing data on the fitness levels of individuals drafted during World War I is released, the government passes legislation ordering improvements to the physical education programs in public schools. The evolution of modern fitness is attributed to the World Wars and the Cold War.
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1912
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The first cesarean section is performed at LGH in June. Twelve births are recorded the following year.
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1913
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LGH starts using its first motorized ambulance.
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1918
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The flu epidemic hits Lancaster. Hundreds gets sick and hospitals are filled beyond capacity. The Moose Hall on East King Street is converted to use as an emergency hospital. On Oct. 7, 1918, there were 2,516 reported cases of flu in a single day.
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1920-1930
Heart disease becomes the leading cause of death in the U.S. An effective vaccine for tuberculosis is developed at the New York City Health Department’s research laboratory. Harvard medical researcher Philip Drinker devises the first modern respirator, dubbed the iron lung, first used by polio sufferers with chest paralysis. Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming does early work in the development of penicillin. The National Institutes of Health are created.
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1929
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LGH undertakes its last major expansion project before World War II. A $450,000 program paved the way for a new maternity building, a new administration wing and acquisition of another private home for nurses.
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1930-1940
President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law 1935 and in 1938, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which expands the power of the Food and Drug Administration, particularly in the area of drug regulation. An early version of the polio vaccine Dr. Jonas Salk would later develop, as well as a vaccine for yellow fever, are announced.
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1933
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The value of free services provided by the hospital exceeds $450,000.
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1938
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LGH acquires its first iron lung.
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1940-1950
President Truman signs the National Mental Health Act of 1946, providing a significant amount of funding for research and treatment of mental illness. Computerized accounting and billing begins with many hospitals integrating the technology into their operations.
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1943
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LGH marks its 50th anniversary
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1946
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Following the end of WWII, 1, 448 babies are born at LGH. By 1951, that figure doubles.
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1950-1960
The pacemaker is invented by Dr. Paul Zoll at Beth Israel Hospital. The first successful organ transplant in humans is performed by Dr. Joseph Murray at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. The first successful heart surgery using the heart-lung machine is performed by Dr. John Gibbon of Jefferson Medical College. DNA’s molecular structure is discovered by Dr. James Watson and Francis Crick.
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1950
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The LGH Department of Physical Therapy is established in the early 1950s.
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1952
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A new wing is dedicated at LGH, containing 156 new beds, a heart clinic, chapel, new interns’ quarters, library, kitchen/cafeteria, administrative areas, employee lounges.
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1957
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The polio unit is phased out at LGH, after an inactivated polio vaccine is licensed.
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1960-1970
President Johnson signs into effect social security amendments authorizing the Medicare and Medicaid programs. NASA plays an important part in the early development of telemedicine, as humans begin traveling in space. A federal employees’ health benefits program is authorized. A measles vaccine is licensed.
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1967
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The LGH School of Nursing completes a new student residence that will house 234 student nurses. It also contains an auditorium, laboratory, classrooms and library.
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1967
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Six residential properties were demolished in the 100 block of East James Street to accommodate additional parking facilities. The hospital now has off-street parking for 526 automobiles.
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1970-1980
The Surgeon General’s report becomes the first of a series of reports to identify environmental smoke as a health risk to nonsmokers. The Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v. Wade, raising a number of issues for hospitals.
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1970
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The Family Medicine Residency Program begins at LGH under the direction of Dr. Nikitas Zervanos. The program is now one of the most successful and among the largest in the nation.
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1977
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LGH begins using a technological marvel – the computerized axial tomography machine (CAT scanner).
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1980-1990
The AIDS epidemic began when the first cases of HIV were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner arrives on the market. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are expanding significantly. By 1986, 51 percent of system-affiliated and 66 percent of freestanding community hospitals are involved in managing care through ownership/sponsorship of HMOs. The number of community hospitals declines through the decade. Between 1980 and 1986, 414 hospitals close.
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1981
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LGH starts its first cardiac catheterization laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Richard H. Mann
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1983
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Dr. Lawrence I. Bonchek, head of the LGH cardiac surgery team, performs the country’s first open-heart surgery at LGH.
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1986
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LGH announces the creation of the Women’s Health Pavilion within the hospital.
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1987
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LGH’s trauma center receives accreditation as a regional trauma center from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation
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1990-2000
Healthcare spending in the U.S. tops 14 percent of economic output in 1992, up from 9.6 percent in 1981. In 1998, The Census Bureau reports 44.3 million Americans are without health insurance, despite a strong economy and a new law intended to provide coverage for children.
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1990-92
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LGH expands its Emergency Medicine/Trauma Department and Food Services Department
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1990
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Laparoscopic gall bladder surgery is performed at LGH.
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1994
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Construction on the Suburban Outpatient Pavilion finishes.
Lancaster General Hospital purchases the 62-bed Columbia Hospital and completes $13 million in facility renovations. After years of declining inpatient demand, the hospital is converted into an outpatient center in 2003.
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2000
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Women & Babies Hospital opens adjacent to the Suburban Outpatient Pavilion.
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2000-2010 and beyond
A 2001 report from the U.S. General Accounting Office projects a serious shortage of nurses. In response, Congress passes the Nurse Reinvestment Act in 2002, establishing programs to expand the workforce. The Food and Drug Administration requires food manufacturers to provide information on trans fats on nutrition labels.
In 2006, Massachusetts enacts the Mandated Health Insurance Law, which requires all adults who can obtain affordable health insurance to do so. The program includes an employer contribution requirement and is funded by state and local governments. Fifteen years after direct-to-consumer advertising regulations were loosened, consumer pharmaceutical marketing reached $5.4 billion. Ads are required to include a “major statement” of the most important risks with a referral to a source of in-depth information.
In 2008, Senator Barack Obama, Democrat of Illinois, is elected president; during his campaign, he promises sweeping healthcare reforms. An estimated 46 million Americans lack health insurance coverage.
In 2010, President Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a landmark healthcare overhaul — the most expansive social legislation enacted in decades — saying it enshrines “the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care.”
In 2011, the percentage of American adults who get their health insurance from an employer falls to 44.5%, leading many to believe this system of insurance can't last.
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2002
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The former nurses’ school becomes the Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
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2003
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LGH opens an expanded Trauma and Emergency Department.
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2004
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The Lancaster General Orthopedic Center opens at LGH.
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2005
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Thomas E. Beeman becomes President & CEO of Lancaster General
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2006
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The Board of Trustees for the Lancaster General Health system and Lancaster General Hospital are consolidated, ensuring a single Board of Trustees provides oversight for the growing, not-for-profit health system.
The Lancaster General Healthcare Foundation begins, serving as the centralized collection point for all contributions and funding requests for the health system. The foundation ensures all funds benefit the system and its patients.
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2007
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Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital opens
Physicians Surgery Center Lancaster General, a partnership between the health system and a group of surgeons opens at the Health Campus, one of the system’s first forays into formal, strategic partnerships with its physicians to enhance access to care and quality.
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2008
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The Downtown Outpatient Pavilion and an adjacent 11-level parking garage opens at LGH.
The $68 million, four-story Downtown Outpatient Pavilion and adjacent 11-level parking garage opens across Duke Street from Lancaster General Hospital, providing much-needed outpatient services and employee parking.
A new three-story addition opened at Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences opens, allowing for an increase in enrollment of 150 students. The expansion includes new classrooms, offices, a radiology lab and a new human patient simulator.
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2009
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A $6 million Lancaster General Health Willow Lakes outpatient facility opens in the county’s south, offering digital mammography and a 16-slice CT, pre- operative testing, laboratory, and physical, occupational, speech and hand therapies.
An $8 million expansion of Women & Babies Hospital increases post-partum rooms, the neonatal intensive care unit, and its triage and nursery beds.
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2010
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LG Health begins implementing a $100 million electronic medical record utilized by physicians and clinicians throughout the health system. Through MyLGHealth, patients can review their record at home, communicate with their physician and request appointments.
LG Health opens an Urgent Care Center at Route 30 and Rohrerstown Road, and LG Health Express locations at two WalMart and two Giant Foods stores to increase access and convenience for those seeking non-emergent healthcare.
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2011
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LG Health breaks ground on the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center.
LG College of Nursing & Health Sciences receives a landmark 10-year re- accreditation of its programs by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The college educates 1,080 students in 19 post-secondary certificate, associate, and bachelor degree programs.
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