WHEREAS, one hundred and fifty years ago, in 1863, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted the charter that authorized the building of a new hospital to care for the citizens of Rhode Island, particularly the poor and the indigent. On October 1, 1868, after five years of planning, the new hospital opened its doors and has been serving the citizens of the state ever since; and
WHEREAS, through wars, epidemics and disasters, Rhode Island Hospital has been ready to respond to the ever shifting needs of a diverse population, treating victims of the 1918 influenza and handling more than 112,000 patient visits durng the Great Depression. When hurricanes or blizzards hit, Rhode Island Hospital remained open and ready to respond, providing shelter and meals to those stranded or seeking refuge, and over the years developed new services and took major steps toward becoming
a regional center of research and learning; and
WHEREAS, by the beginning of the 21st century, Rhode Island Hospital was home to a burgeoning research enterprise and saw an acceleration in the number of "firsts" for Rhode Island Hospital in the use of highly sophisticated new technologies, performance of complex surgeries and provision of the most advanced care in areas such as oncology, cardiology, pediatrics and neurology; and
WHEREAS, although it is today a regional powerhouse in medicine and research, Rhode Island Hospital
remains true to its historical legacy, providing more than $46 million annually in uncompensated care for people in need. Though bearing little resemblance to the hospital of 1868 the founders would find that their values--commitment to community, dedication to excellence and courage to innovate--still inform the hospital's work; and
Now, Therefore, in Honor of the 150thAnniversary of its Founding and in Celebration of a Century and a Half of Fulfilling its Mission to Serve the Health Care Needs of the Citizens of Rhode Island and Southern New England, Do I, Angel Taveras, Mayor of the City of Providence, Hereby Proclaim Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Rhode Island Hospital Day in the City of Providence.