Chester Hospital

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Chester Hospital

Photo c. 1958 courtesy of Rocky (Hazel Hillard) Bohlmann, fatgarfield2002@yahoo.com

Chester Hospital.jpg (302663 bytes)

9th & Barclay Streets

Presidents | Superintendents | Chief Surgeons | Superintendents of Nurses

History | School of Nursing | Recollections

Presidents of the Board of Managers	Charles L. Flounders (1949)
Superintendents	Major John A. Drew (Superintendent since 1920 resigned in December 1924) Joseph A. Hulme (formerly superintendent of Crozer Mill, Upland for 30 years. 1925- ?)
Chief Surgeons:	George L. Armitage, M.D. (1942) Graduate of Chester High Class of 1909 Dr. Newton Wyman, chief of staff & surgery when the hospital closed in 1963.
Superintendents of Nurses:	Mary E. Reagan, R. N. (1942) Graduate of Chester High Class of 1912
Significant Historical Events	Chester Hospital was incorporated 1883. The need for such a facility was recognized following the Jackson Pyrotechnical Explosion on February 17, 1882. The building was completed in 1892, and the hospital opened January 1, 1893. William Berkheimer, 218 Wilson St., was admitted to Chester Hospital with a broken leg on December 31, 1892, the day before the hospital officially opened. In 1925 a new Packard ambulance was presented to Chester Hospital by John P. Crozer of Upland. A new 61-bed maternity building was dedicated September 1949. The newest building, the East Wing, was built in 1949. On June 1, 1963 Crozer Hospital took over administration. In July 1963 both hospitals signed an agreement of consolidation. The hospital closed on Monday, June 27, 1966. The last patient to leave the hospital on Tuesday June 28, 1966, was Anthony Feliziani. The final patients were transferred to Crozer-Chester Medical Center by the Franklin Rescue Squad. The hospital building was demolished in 1971 and the "new" Chester High School was erected on this property.
School of Nursing	The School of Nurses was established in May 1893. There were 3 graduates the first year. Chester Hospital School of Nursing brochure (from late 1920's or early 1930's (courtesy of Vi Burkhard, daughter of Mrs. Catherine (Miller) Everson, Class of 1933) 1932 Graduation Class Graduates from Chester Hospital 1933: Mrs. Tessie Toole Mrs. Maryann Stanoski Mrs. Marie Taylor Mrs. Margaret DiCabe Mrs. Catherine (Miller) Everson Miss Rebecca Rubin Mrs. Dorothy Hall Mrs. Antoinette Butz Mrs. Marie Bateman Mrs. Betty Fisher Mrs. Zenobia Corwin Mrs. Dorothy Slezak Mrs. Patricia Ingram Photo of the 20th Anniversary Dinner of this class Diploma - Class of 1933 Graduates in 1947 Mrs. Dorothy DeNofio and 39 others Graduates from Chester in October 1949, (54th Commencement exercises): Gilda Angeline Buttone Theresa Estelle Curney Rose Mattie DiMaio Gloria Ruth Donaway Alma Elizabeth Maloney Rita Ann McFate Helen Rose Micocci Hazel Marie Prichard Marion Eugenia Reilly Graduates from Chester Hospital Nurses School 1951 Josephine Ferrarelli Alderfer Last graduating class was September 1952
Recollections	"My mother, Dr. Frances M. Triboletti, was the first woman intern at Chester Hospital." - Albert E. Smith, VMD, Dr. Frances M. Triboletti's son "I was born in Old Chester Hospital. Our youngest daughter Deborah Bennett Smith Bailey was born in the new part in 1954. "Does anyone remember the May Markets [pictures and story from May 1942] on the grounds of the Hospital - now the new CHS grounds? Ballons, chances on a car, lemon sticks, old book stalls, baked goods, attic treasures and many more. Of course it was held in May. Hope someone can fill in." - Betty-Jane Bennett Smith, Smith9697@aol.com
More Chester Hospital Pictures	Maternity Building Charles B. Houston Memorial - Children's Hospital The Nurses' Home - The gift of the late Mrs. J. Frank Black The Margaret A. Houston Memorial - Operating Pavilion Ambulances May Market 1942

If you have any information and or pictures that you would like to contribute about the history of Chester Hospital, please forward it to john@oldchesterpa.com

This page last updated 03/25/06