Alta Bates

[2] In 1904, Bates cared for women and their newborn babies in her parents' home on Walnut Street in Berkeley, California.

[1] The following year, Bates founded an eight-bed sanitarium for women and children.

[1] Impressed by her work and vision, local physicians and community leaders helped Bates expand the building, securing funding to purchase two blocks on Webster Street.

[6] Bates was a prominent early anesthetist in California, administering over 14,000 anesthetics.

Due to health problems, Bates retired from her role as the director of the hospital in 1949.