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Henry Ford Hospital Celebrates 100th Anniversary With Detroit Historical Museum Exhibit (Video)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Henry Ford Hospital was born 100 years ago and over the years has enhanced the well-being of Detroit, and the region, in a number of ways.

The hospital, which was founded by Henry Ford, has been a pioneer in life-saving medical procedures, building a diverse workforce and investing in the city and region as the sixth largest employer in Michigan.

Henry Ford Hospital's century of service is the subject of a new exhibit, "Henry Ford Health System: 100 Years Measured in Life," at the Detroit Historical Museum.

"We have never wavered in our commitment to the city, we have continued to grow dramatically over the years and innovation, which was the hallmark of Henry Ford himself continues to be in our DNA today," said Nancy Schlichting, CEO of Henry Ford Health System.

The exhibit in the museum's Community Gallery chronicles the history of the hospital in 100 stories which range from Henry Ford taking control of the stalled 48-bed Detroit General Hospital project - which became today's Henry Ford Hospital - through the latest innovations in health care that include modern patient gowns that don't open in the back.

Henry Ford Hospital, which began on West Grand Blvd., has now grown into Henry Ford Health System, which serves a five-county area admitting 89,000 patients a year to hospitals with more than 3.2 million clinic visits.

"Henry Ford was really an innovator in everything he did," said Henry Ford lll, the great-great grandson of the hospital's founder, who attended the opening of the exhibit. "The level of innovation that he brought to patient care and structure of the hospital is really pretty interesting. The hospital today does a fantastic job of carrying on that legacy."

The story of the hospital is told through stories, videos and actual devices including wheelchair, EKG machine and examination table from the early 1900s.

John Popovich Jr., M.D., President and CEO of Henry Ford Hospital, who started his career as an intern at the hospital, stated that he considered it an honor to lead the hospital and continue the legacy of his predecessors.

"I saw people who over the course of years continued the values, and continued to carry out the mission from the time I was an intern," said Popovich, who values the organization's continued commitment to things such as community, teaming, research and education.

 

The Detroit Historical Museum is located at 5401 Woodward Ave., and is open 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday – Friday; and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday. The Museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is free.

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