Its purposes were to “establish in Philadelphia, a Hospital for the treatment of diseases of women and children, and for obstetrical cases; furnishing at the same time facilities for clinical instruction to women engaged in the study of medicine, and for the practical training of nurses; the chief resident physician to be a woman.”[2] Though most medical care in the 19th century occurred at home or in a practitioner's office, the “teaching hospital” could provide, as clinical material, many patients gathered in one place for some time, who could be examined while the course of their diseases was observed.

[1] Woman's Hospital accepted its first patient, to the Lying In Department (maternity), on December 16, 1861.

At least one woman staff physician pleaded for “sympathizing care,” saying it could do more to change a life than moralistic rejection.

[6] In 1874, the college began construction of its own building, thanks to an earlier bequest of Isaac Barton, one of the corporators.

[7] In 1888, Dr. Anna Broomall established the hospital's outpatient maternity clinic (the first in the United States).