The 1800s
Following its founding in 1875, Dr. William H. Bennett’s vision of a year-round hospital began to take shape, with St. Christopher’s spending the rest of the 1800s expanding its services to include a pediatric residency, ambulance service and specialized wards.
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, although never religiously affiliated, was named by Dr. William H. Bennett, who explained:
“… like the Giant Saint whose name it bears [St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children] has carried the little ones of its community time and time again safely through the dangerous floods of illness and delivered them safe and well to those who watch the perilous journey.”
Dr. William H. Bennett
1874
A Vision for Pediatric Care
Dr. William H. Bennett, founder of St. Christopher’s, serves as physician-in-chief at Children’s Seashore House in Atlantic City, a summer charity hospital for poor city children. While working in Kensington, he witnessed the urgent need for medical care for factory workers’ children, inspiring his vision for a year-round hospital in Northeast Philadelphia.
1875
St. Christopher’s Outpatient Facility Opens
On Nov. 30, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children opens as a dispensary at 552 E. Dauphin St. in Philadelphia to serve the growing working-class community of Kensington, then home to 125,000 people. Dr. Bennett’s vision lays the foundation for a cornerstone of pediatric health care in the region and beyond.
1877
First In-Patient Pediatric Facility
St. Christopher’s expands from a single-room clinic to a seven-room, eight-bed “cottage hospital” at 132 Diamond St., offering care at little or no cost to Kensington’s children.
1884
Opens First Hospital Building: Huntingdon Pavilion
The Huntingdon Pavilion served as the cornerstone of the hospital for a century, providing care for all children regardless of background or ability to pay.
1886
First Infant Ward
At a time when other hospitals didn’t treat children under the age of three, St. Christopher’s becomes the first hospital in the region to establish an infant ward, later expanding to two wards in 1891.
1890
Hospital Expansion
In 1890, a new main hospital building was completed to meet the increasing demand for pediatric care, expanding capacity to 43 beds. This expansion improved medical services for children, ensuring better treatment and care as the hospital continued to grow and serve the community’s healthcare needs.
1892
Pediatric Residency Begins
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children launches its pediatric residency program with its first full-time resident, marking a significant. This initiative aims to enhance pediatric care, provide hands-on training, and develop future pediatricians dedicated to improving children's health through comprehensive clinical experience and specialized instruction.
1896
First Ambulance Service
The hospital debuts its first ambulance, a horse-drawn buggy, to transport infants and children from North Philadelphia. This innovation improves access to medical care, ensuring timely treatment for young patients. The marks a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare, enhancing emergency response and community outreach for vulnerable children.
The 1900s
Over the new century, St. Christopher’s was focus on advancing pediatric medicine, whether it was pioneering new programs, forging academic partnerships, or achieving medical breakthroughs, St. Christopher’s remained committed to being at the forefront of medical excellence.
1906
Nursing School Established
St. Christopher’s opens a nursing training school focused on pediatric hospital care, preparing future caregivers for this emerging field. The program enhances medical expertise, ensuring skilled professionals provide specialized care for children. This program strengthens pediatric healthcare by equipping nurses with essential knowledge and hands-on experience to serve young patients.
1940
First Child Life Program
The hospital launches the nation’s first child life and play therapy program in a children's medical center, revolutionizing pediatric care. This Child Life Program helps young patients cope with hospitalization through therapeutic play, reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being while setting a new standard for child-centered medical treatment nationwide.
1947
Academic Partnership with Temple
Dr. Waldo Nelson, already chair of pediatrics at Temple Hospital, becomes medical director of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, establishing its first academic affiliation. Under his leadership until 1964, the hospital gains international prominence in pediatric care and research. Nelson is also recognized worldwide as the editor of the Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics and the Journal of Pediatrics.
1952
Medical Education Programs
St. Christopher’s introduces weekly continuing medical education programs for general practitioners, enhancing their knowledge and skills in pediatric care. These sessions provide valuable updates on medical advancements, improving patient outcomes. By fostering ongoing learning, the hospital strengthens community healthcare and ensures better treatment for children through well-trained physicians.
1959
Largest Cystic Fibrosis Center
Led by renowned pulmonologist Dr. Nancy Huang, the East Coast’s largest cystic fibrosis center for children is established. This center provides advanced care, groundbreaking research, and specialized treatments, improving outcomes for young patients.
1962
Major Campus Expansion
The Morris Pavilion, a 146-bed expansion, is completed to accommodate the hospital’s growing needs. This addition enhances patient care, increases capacity, and supports advanced medical services. The expansion ensures better access to specialized treatments, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to serving the community with high-quality pediatric healthcare.
1965
Discovery of DiGeorge Syndrome
Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Angelo DiGeorge, along with pathologist Dr. James Arey, pioneering pediatric immunologist Dr. Harold Lischner and cytogeneticist Dr. Hope Punnett, describe a disorder characterized by hypocalcemia, severe immune deficiency, cardiac defects and craniofacial anomalies, often presenting in the neonatal period.
In 1974-75, Dr. Punnett was the first to identify a 22q deletion in two unrelated patients with DiGeorge syndrome, establishing the genetic link to the condition.
1971
First Tracheostomy Unit
The hospital creates the first dedicated tracheostomy unit for infants and children, offering specialized care for patients with long-term airway needs. This unit ensures comprehensive treatment, improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for young children requiring tracheostomy care.
1972
First Pediatric Kidney Transplant
St. Christopher’s performs the first pediatric kidney transplant in the Delaware Valley.
1984
First Regional Pediatric Burn Center
The hospital establishes the first pediatric burn center between Boston and Washington, D.C.
1985
Pediatric Transplant Center
St. Christopher’s becomes a transplant center, performing its first pediatric liver, heart and kidney/liver transplants.
1985
Medical Breakthrough
The hospital becomes the first in the world to implement oxygen-rich liquid ventilation, a groundbreaking medical innovation. This pioneering technique enhances respiratory support for critically ill patients, improving oxygenation and lung function. The hospital’s use of this advanced therapy sets a new standard in pediatric care and respiratory medicine.
1990
Relocation to Erie Avenue
After decades of serving the community at Fifth and Lehigh and facing the need to expand, St. Christopher’s builds a new campus at 160 E. Erie Ave., uniting its services under one roof.
1994
HIV Treatment Breakthrough
Dr. Harold Lischner is part of a groundbreaking research team that develops an early treatment and prevention strategy for newborns exposed to HIV. He also pioneers a family-centered clinical model that continues to be used today.
1996
Waldo E. Nelson Pavilion
The ambulatory Annex Building is renamed to honor Dr. Waldo E. Nelson’s lasting contributions.
The 2000s
St. Christopher’s has made remarkable strides. From launching pioneering initiatives such as a literacy partnership, achieving Level 1 trauma center status, earning Magnet recognition for nursing excellence, expanding cutting-edge facilities, and garnering national acclaim.
“Since 1875, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children has been a beacon of care, compassion and unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of children, families and our community. This milestone anniversary is a testament to the commitment of our staff, the resilience of our patients and the steadfast support of our region. As we look to the future, we remain devoted to ensuring that every child receives the exceptional care and compassion they deserve.”
Jodi Coombs, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
2001
Reach Out and Read Partnership
St. Christopher’s launches an innovative partnership to promote literacy, providing books to children at each well visit. Since 2001, over 800,000 books in 15 languages have been distributed.
2003
Pediatric Trauma Center Designation
St. Christopher’s becomes a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, the highest level, providing specialized emergency care for children.
2009
National Recognition for Nursing
St. Christopher’s receives its first four-year Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the gold standard of nursing, placing it among the top 10% of U.S. hospitals and top 1% of children’s hospitals.
2010
Back-to-School Carnival Begins
St. Christopher’s launches its annual Back-to-School Carnival, now welcoming over 4,000 community members each year. The event provides thousands of free, fully stocked backpacks, healthy living workshops and engaging activities for families.
2014
Center for the Urban Child Opens
The hospital expands its campus with the Center for the Urban Child, strengthening its commitment to community health, food security and childhood wellness.
2016
Pediatric Critical Care Tower
St. Christopher’s opens a 135,000-square-foot Pediatric Critical Care Tower, featuring a new neonatal unit, 60 Level IIIC NICU beds for critically ill newborns requiring the highest level of care, an expanded dental unit and larger occupational therapy facilities.
2019
Drexel and Tower Health Partnership
St. Christopher’s is acquired through a partnership between Drexel University and Tower Health, strengthening its mission to advance pediatric health care.
2024
National Recognition from Newsweek
Newsweek names St. Christopher’s one of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals, recognizing its orthopedics program among the nation’s best.
2025
Celebrating 150 Years of Service
On Nov. 30, 2025, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children celebrates its 150th anniversary, marking a century and a half of excellence in pediatric care and service to the community.