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Our History

Celebrating 100 years of Caring!

The Saint Raphael’s 100th Anniversary Book – Now Available! 

(at the Glass Door Gift Shop off the Main Lobby or online at the e-Store.)

 

Saint Raphael’s is a 511-bed community teaching hospital affiliated with Yale University School of Medicine. The Hospital was founded in 1907 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, who continue as its sponsors.

The Sisters came to New Haven to start the hospital at the request of a group of local physicians, led by Dr. William F. Verdi. The doctors asked the Sisters of Charity to administer a hospital that would be open to all members of the medical profession and would “receive and care for all patients without regard to race, creed or color; to extend charity to the sick and poor and needy.”Saint Raphael’s continues this special mission today.

The name “Saint Raphael” was chosen for special reasons. Saint Raphael is not just a saint of the Catholic Church, but is one of the archangels recognized by many faiths. Translated from the Hebrew, Raphael means “God has healed.”The archangel Raphael is revered as a patron of the sick and healing.

More than 100 years since its founding, the hospital has evolved into the Saint Raphael Healthcare System, an integrated delivery system offering a comprehensive array of services dedicated to the health and well-being of residents of Greater New Haven and beyond.

The first century: a pictorial timeline

1900

Within two years of its founding as a 12-bed hospital, Saint Raphael’s opens a School of Nursing, forms its auxiliary and grows to 135 beds.

1910

Patient care becomes more sophisticated. Saint Raphael’s gets its first X-ray machine, opens its first pharmacy and acquires its first motorized ambulance.

1920

Saint Raphael’s grows physically and clinically. It adds the Saint Rita’s wing, opens a modern laboratory and welcomes its first full-time anesthesiologist.

1930

Sister Louise Anthony Geronemo arrives in 1935 as a novice Sister of Charity to train at the School of Nursing. She goes on to serve Saint Raphael’s in a variety of roles over the next 62 years, including 22 years as hospital administrator.

1940

Saint Raphael’s opens a School of Medical Technology, one of the first in the nation. Establishes formal orthopedics, anesthesia and outpatient departments. Training site for World War II U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps.

1950

Saint Raphael’s established its leadership role in both cancer and cardiac care by opening Southern New England’s first radiation therapy center and being one of the first community hospitals in New England to perform open heart surgery.

1960

Saint Raphael’s continues its pioneering role in cardiac care, opening one of the first cardiac catheterization labs and cardiac care units in the state. First Catholic hospital in the United States to establish a recognized pastoral care department.

1970

Verdi Memorial Building opens with tours for the community. Dedicated oncology unit opens. Longstanding relationship with Yale University School of Medicine is formalized, enhancing Saint Raphael’s role as a community teaching hospital.

1980

Saint Raphael Healthcare System forms, acquires Saint Regis Health Center, a 125-bed skilled nursing facility, which is the only Catholic nursing home in New Haven. Hospital of Saint Raphael opens first outpatient chemotherapy/transfusion 
unit in Connecticut.

1990

Father Michael J. McGivney Center for Cancer Care opens. System grows and affiliates with homecare providers Regional Visiting Nurse Agency and Shoreline VNA. Two-time winner of national award as “Top 100 Hospital” for overall services in independent, benchmarked studies by HCIA, Inc.

Early 2000s

Continues role as top surgical provider by opening a new ambulatory surgery facility in the hospital, and opening an expanded emergency department and trauma center.

Page last updated on Oct. 29, 2009