History or Info on French Hospital in San Francisco (1900-1907)

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I would like any information on the French Hospital in San Francisco. My Great Grandmother died there on April 6 1906. However we have not been able to any record of the Hospital. I would like to know where it was located, type of hospital and just any information on the hospital. Thank You in Advance

-- Ron Moody (Rmoody@neteze.com), February 24, 1998

Answers

In the San Francisco almanac 1980, Gladys Hansen writes, "Founded in 1851 by Etienne Dervec on Rincon Hill as San Francisc's first private hospital. The hospital was relocated in 1856 at Bryant and 5th Streets and moved to its present location (Geary btwn 5th and 6th) in 1895. The new French Hospital was dedicated May 4, 1963" it is now known as the "French Campus" of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

-- Kurt Iversen (iversenk@aol.com), November 30, 1998.

The hospital was run by the French Mutual Benevolent Society which is still in existance.

-- Judy De Bella (judydbella@aol.com), July 02, 1999.

Here's a nice watercolor of the place in the 1800s. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9779p02z/

-- Chris Dichtel (cyberiad@earthlink.net), April 10, 2004.

On May 4. 2004, I had a chance to do an extensive walk around of the existing structures at Geary and 5th. There is a significant amount of residual construction, however there are also newer structures at the site. An imaginative eye can discern the historical elements. Parts of the older building are being used to Dorm students of the University of San Francisco. Other buildings house service offices and clinics of the Kaiser Permanente hospital "French Campus".

The Wooden Water Tower, decayed, but still visible behind the older buildings was one of the more interesting features.

-- Eric (gianfu@hotmail.com), May 05, 2004.


I worked in the surgery at The French Hospital from 1981 to 1984. It was a delightful hospital. Small yet well equipped for the time. The architecture was very early '60s modern. The hospital specialized in ortho/plastic-reconstructive/general and various out-patient surgeries as well and general medical. It had a long-term "skilled nursing facility". It did not (at the time) have pediatrics, OB/GYN services or a major emergency room. I fondly remember the nursing staff in all of the services and the cafeteria and patient meals were unusually good ! As a nurse, it was one of my favorite places to work. The OR (operating Rooms) were the cleanest I have ever worked in. The docs, nurses and techs were the kindest, easiest people to work with. It was a great time in my life.

-- brad coath (bcoath@tampabay.rr.com), November 11, 2004.


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