Framingham Hospital and Training School for Nurses
In September of 1890, a group of civic minded residents petitioned the General Court of the Commonwealth to start a hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts, in part influenced and approved due to the increased use of the railroad that ran through the city.
A gift of $5,000 was made in memory of Adolf Merriam, which spurred simultaneous efforts by a group of individuals – primarily women, who were the forerunners of the Framingham Hospital Aid Association – for the establishment of an emergency ward and independent training school for nurses. Their combined efforts culminated in 1893 when the Sturtevant House, which was located on Winthrop Street, opened its doors as Framingham Hospital and became the only public medical facility in Framingham.
Within four years funds were obtained to start a new hospital building on Evergreen Street, where physicians formed a medical staff organization, establishing rules and regulations governing the practice of medicine. They submitted a request for “an X-Ray apparatus” which was considered very progressive at the time, even for hospitals in larger cities.
In 1912, Dr. Herbert O. Brenner left the Framingham Hospital on Evergreen Street to start his own hospital, The Union Avenue Hospital and also opened a school of nursing in 1913. In 1925, the Framingham & Union Avenue Hospitals were merged successfully to become Framingham Union Hospital. A 1927 ground breaking ceremony, attended by over 3000 guests, was held for the soon-to-be new Framingham Union Hospital facility. The combined nursing schools flourished, supported in part by the Hospital Aid Association. During WWII, they began the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Program, from which many graduates joined the armed forces.
In 1948, the U.S. Congress chose Framingham, Massachusetts and therefore Framingham Union Hospital as the location for its long-term cardiovascular research study. The Framingham Heart Study, which started with 5,209 adult subjects from Framingham, continues today, and is the longest longitudinal cardiovascular study in the United States. Much of what is “common knowledge” surrounding heart disease, such as the effects of exercise, diet and everyday medications like aspirin on heart disease is based on data collected during this study. It has received much attention from medical professionals as well has the popular media, and has been featured on “60 Minutes” and in People Magazine.
Throughout the second half of the last century, Framingham Union Hospital continued to grow, responding to the needs of Framingham and surrounding communities. In 1980, a 50,000 square foot addition was added, and the Cancer Care Center opened in 1986. In 1991, the new Women’s and Newborn unit opened, followed by the MetroWest Cardiac Center. Expansion and investment in technology has continued into the 21st century, most recently in 2018 with the addition of robotic technology and 3D mammography.