Roger Williams Medical Center: About Us

Over a century of dedication to improving the human condition has resulted in significant advances in medical care. Since our founding in 1878, highlights of our accomplishments include:

1891	Hospital establishes school of nursing.
1930	American Medical Association approves hospital for intern training.
1935	Hospital opens state's first arthritis clinic.
1959	Hospital opens state's first intensive care unit.
1964	Hospital opens state's first cardiac care unit.
1969	Hospital formally affiliates with Brown University School of Medicine.
1973	National Cancer Institute establishes Clinical Cancer Research Center on hospital campus.
1974	National Arthritis Foundation designates hospital as Arthritis Clinical Research Center.
1975	Hospital dedicates Laminar Flow Room, first germ-free patient environment in New England.
1977	Hospital opens outpatient alcoholism counseling service.
1980	Hospital opens state's first male infertility clinic.
1985	Hospital establishes state's first cancer screening service.
1986	Governor DiPrete appoints "blue ribbon" panel to study "structural possibilities" to establish a multimillion cancer institute at Roger Williams Medical Center.
1990	Hospital begins research on effects of Tacrine in treating Alzheimer's disease.
1991	Hospital becomes state's first to offer Taxol for advanced ovarian cancer.
1994	Roger Williams opens state's first and only bone marrow transplant unit.
1995	Roger Williams Medical Center opens the first hospital-based subacute care unit in the state. This 16-bed unit provides intensive rehabilitation and recuperative services to enable patients to return home after an acute hospital stay.
1996	Horizons of Hope Capital Campaign surpasses goal of $5.4 million.
1997	Roger Williams becomes formally affiliated with Boston University School of Medicine.
1998	Roger Williams Medical Center opens the state's only acute care unit dedicated entirely to patients with orthopedic needs.
1999	Geriatric Psychiatry unit opens in November expanding the hospital's continuum of elder care services.
2000	Roger Williams opens a comprehensive breast health program staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, surgeons, radiologists, researchers and nurse specialists.
2001	A Master Facilities Plan is unveiled which will be used as a blueprint to guide the hospital's growth over the upcoming decade.