THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, ORIE, SOLOBAY, STACK, KASUNIC, RAFFERTY, YAW, COSTA, ERICKSON, FERLO, D. WHITE, PIPPY AND BREWSTER, JANUARY 19, 2011

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JANUARY 19, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Magee-Womens Hospital of

UPMC in Pittsburgh.

WHEREAS, The Elizabeth Steel Magee Hospital was founded on

January 19, 1911, when its first patients, 14 women, arrived in

horse-drawn ambulances at the hospital's makeshift facility at

Forbes Avenue and Halket Street in Oakland; and

WHEREAS, The hospital now sits on the site of the Christopher

Lyman Magee home, once known as The Maples; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Magee, a State senator and Pittsburgh

political boss who died in 1901, stipulated in his will that,

after his wife's death, his estate should be used to build and

endow a hospital to admit women without any question as to their

background; and

WHEREAS, Named after Magee's mother, the permanent Elizabeth

Steel Magee Hospital opened on October 15, 1915, accommodating

140 adults and eight infants, but was closed in 1918 during the

worst influenza epidemic in United States history and then

leased to the Army for treatment of stricken soldiers before

reopening in 1920; and

WHEREAS, The hospital continued to evolve during the 20th

century, with the additions of a nurses' home in 1939, a new

maternity suite in 1956 and a premature nursery in 1961; and

WHEREAS, After several expansions, Magee merged in 1962 with

Women's Hospital, a hospital specializing in the treatment of

diseases and conditions for women and physically linked to

Presbyterian Hospital, at which point the hospital adopted its

current name; and

WHEREAS, Along with the 1962 merger came the addition of the

Miller Wing, which housed eight operating rooms, 69 patient

beds, two nurseries, offices and research laboratories; and

WHEREAS, The hospital merged again in 1999, becoming Magee-

Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

(UPMC); and

WHEREAS, The hospital's first baby was born on opening day

and since then, more than 500,000 babies have been born at the

hospital, with nearly 10,000 babies born there each year

accounting for 45% of the annual births in Allegheny County; and

WHEREAS, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC has traditionally

sought to advance understanding of women's health and the

practice of gender-specific medicine; and

WHEREAS, Last year, the hospital ranked sixth in gynecologic

care in the annual U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of

America's Best Hospitals issue and ranked 42nd in women's cancer

care; and

WHEREAS, The staff at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC helps

families through the entire reproductive process by providing

fertility treatments, fetal therapy, childbirth services and

education and support to mothers before birth and throughout the

breastfeeding process; and

WHEREAS, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC is not just for women,

for today's hospital provides medical services to men, women and

infants with medical excellence and innovation in outstanding

patient care, education, research, standards development,

advocacy and health and environment; and

WHEREAS, Specialty services provided by Magee-Womens Hospital

of UPMC have attracted patients from across the country and

include such services as bariatric surgery and the treatment of

obesity and abdominal problems, robotic assisted surgery and

thoracic surgery; and

WHEREAS, The hospital's Healthy Community initiative provides

health and education programs to those who are underserved due

to income, transportation or other barriers; and

WHEREAS, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and its employees have

a long and established history of dedication in providing

exceptional patient care and medical services; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the 100th anniversary of

Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC on January 19, 2011, and its

tradition of outstanding medical service and offer best wishes

for growth and prosperity in the years to come.