By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo General Hospital is celebrating its 150th anniversary Monday. Founded in 1855 as a 100-bed hospital, today Buffalo General is a 511-bed acute care medical center.
Back in 1855, there was one hospital in Buffalo -- Sisters of Charity. But as Buffalo's population rapidly grew in the mid-19th century, it quickly became apparent to city leaders at the time that a new hospital was needed. So, on November 21st, Dr. Phineas Strong and local attorney Charles Clarke founded Buffalo General. Three years later, former President Millard Fillmore dedicated the 100-bed hospital on High Street. Kathy Guarino, chief nursing officer at Buffalo General, said in 1883, the hospital was among the first in the nation to offer horse-drawn ambulance service.
"The ambulance was purchased by the Ladies Hospital Association," Guarino said. "It was fully equipped with the latest medical equipment of the time. It was always accompanied by the senior resident of the hospital."
Indeed, Buffalo General has marked a number of firsts in its storied history. Guarino said Buffalo General pioneered a number of techniques and procedures, especially in the field of cardiac care.
"The first electro-cardiograms done here in Western New York took place at Buffalo General," Guarino said. "The first open-heart surgery, and in the 1960s, the first coronary bypass, were done here at Buffalo General."
Today, Buffalo General is part of the Kaleida Health system.