History

Highland Hospital had its origins in the 1889 founding of the Hahnemann Homeopathic Hospital. When founded, Hahnemann Hospital was known as "the rebel on the hill" because of its then radical conviction that patients should be cared for as people, instead of as interesting specimens of illnesses or collections of symptoms. Highland Hospital has a rich history of sponsoring pioneering medical research and a proud legacy of excellence in health care education and patient care. Some highlights are:

1889	Founded as a six bed hospital by Dr. Joseph Biegler
1890	Donation provides for three beds for patients who cannot afford hospital care
1891	School of Nursing opens its doors	Portrait of Florence Nightingale, donated to the John R. Williams Health Sciences Library in 1979 by the School of Nursing upon its close.
1903	Ambulance service begins
1909	Funds donated by George Eastman allow the construction of a new 3 story building, to include an operating room, x-ray room and room for 30 additional beds
1921	Becomes Highland Hospital of Rochester
1929	School of Nursing publishes its first yearbook
1936	Woman's board is formed
1950s	New construction, including a new east building, building #1 and emergency department
1967	Highland opens its Family Medicine program, the first in the state and third in the country
1968	Becomes a major teaching affiliate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
1972	Highland Hospital Foundation is established
1973	Woman's Board of Highland becomes the Highland Hospital Auxiliary
1977	New west wing is opened, including the ICU, expanded Emergency Department and several other clinical areas
1979	School of Nursing closes its doors, after graduating 1755 RNs.
1982	Funds are donated to construct the John R. Williams, Sr. Health Sciences Library
1985	Geriatric Special Care Unit opens
1986	Diabetes HealthSource opens, providing diabetic education and counseling to patients and the community
1989	Highland celebrates its 100th birthday
1990s	Continues as a leader in Rochester health care, emphasizing Highland's role in women's health care, seniors and oncology

Other Highland "firsts" include, the first hospital in the United States to:

• Use insulin in the treatment of diabetes
• Use endocavity irradiation as an alternative to colostomy surgery
• Establish a clinical chemical laboratory

Highland was also the first hospital in Rochester to establish a family birthing center, and to allow fathers to be present at their babies' birth.

Today, Highland has evolved into a leader of the Rochester health care community, with a mission to provide high quality health care services in an environment where friendly, individualized care is emphasized.