Peter Bent Brigham Hospital

Peter Bent Brigham Hospital
Geography
Location	Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Organization
Type	Teaching
Affiliated university	Harvard Medical School
History
Opened	1913
Links
Lists	[[List of hospitals in Massachusetts |Hospitals in Massachusetts ]]

The Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (PBBH) was a renowned teaching hospital located in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1913 through a bequest from the philanthropist Peter Bent Brigham, it has played a significant role in the history of American medicine and has been affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

History

Peter Bent Brigham, a successful restaurateur and real estate investor, left a substantial part of his estate to establish a hospital for the care of the sick in Boston. The hospital opened its doors in 1913 and quickly became a leading institution for medical research and education. It was particularly known for its contributions to the field of surgery, renal medicine (including the first successful human kidney transplant in 1954), and medical education.

Mergers and Legacy

In 1975, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital merged with two other Boston-area hospitals, the Boston Hospital for Women and the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital, to form the Brigham and Women's Hospital, a major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. This merger helped to consolidate resources and expertise, creating one of the leading hospitals in the United States.

Contributions to Medicine

The hospital was a pioneer in the field of organ transplantation. In 1954, Dr. Joseph Murray and Dr. J. Hartwell Harrison performed the first successful human kidney transplant between identical twins at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. This groundbreaking procedure earned Dr. Murray the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990.

Facilities and Services

The hospital was known for its comprehensive services across various medical specialties, including cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology. It also served as a critical training ground for generations of medical professionals.

Impact on Community

Throughout its history, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital was deeply involved in the Boston community, providing not only medical care but also participating in public health initiatives and medical outreach programs.

See Also

• Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Harvard Medical School
• History of Medicine

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