New England Hospital for Women and Children (1862-1951)

Historical/Biographical Note

Historical/Biographical Note

The New England Hospital for Women and Children was founded by Marie Zakrzewska on July 1, 1862. The hospital was established on Warrenton Street in Boston, Massachusetts. The hospital's goal was to provide female patients with competent female physicians, educate women in the study of medicine, and train nurses. Zakrzewska was devoted to providing obstetric care to all who needed it, regardless of race or economic status. At the start, the staff consisted of Zakrzewska, two interns, and two consulting physicians.

In 1864, the Massachusetts state legislature gave the hospital a grant of $5000, allowing it to expand and aquire property. The hospital split into 3 parts; a hospital, a dispensary, and an inpatient facility.

In 1872, the hospital moved to Codman Avenue in suburban Roxbury, Massachusetts and the dispensary stayed in the center of Boston. This new hospital opened the first nursing school in America.

By 1900 there was a resident physician, 54 attending, assisting, and advisory physicians, and 13 consulting physicians.

The hospital remained dedicated to women and children until 1951 when it was renamed the New England Hospital. Part of this decision was to reflect that the hospital was now open to male patients as well as women and children.

The hospital was renamed again to the Dimock Community Health Center in 1969.