University of Washington physicians and surgeons performed the West Coast’s first open heart surgery
On Aug. 1, 1956, Dr. K. Alvin Merendino at the University of Washington in Seattle performed the first…
The University of Washington’s Division of Medical Genetics opened as one of first units of its kind in America
On Jul. 1, 1956, the University of Washington’s Division of Medical Genetics opened in the Department of Medicine…
Physio-Control was incorporated by Dr. K. William Edmark, a Seattle cardiovascular surgeon
On May 29, 1956, Physio-Control was incorporated by Dr. K. William Edmark, a Seattle cardiovascular surgeon, who was…
The University of Washington’s Division of Medical Genetics opened as one of first units of its kind in America
On Jul. 1, 1956, the University of Washington’s Division of Medical Genetics opened in the Department of Medicine…
Diagnostics | Disease | Infectious Disease | Influenza | Life Science History | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Children’s Orthopedic Hospital opened the Northwest’s first Poison Control Center
On Jan. 1, 1956, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital opened the Northwest’s first Poison Control Center to advise callers on…
The Virginia Mason Research Center was founded
In 1956, the Virginia Mason Research Center, now known as Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), located…
Drs Edmond Fischer and Edwin Krebs submitted for publication a description of reversible protein phosphorylation
On Nov. 10. 1955, Dr. Edmond Fisher and Dr. Edwin Krebs of University of Washington’s School of Medicine…
Quinton Instruments was founded by University of Washington biomedical engineer Wayne Quinton
In 1953, Quinton Instruments was founded by University of Washington biomedical engineer Wayne Quinton with the initial focus…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
The University of Washington Health Sciences Building was dedicated
On Oct. 9, 1949, the University of Washington’s Health Sciences Building was dedicated on the university’s Seattle campus….
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Construction of the original Madigan General Hospital began at Fort Lewis
In Jul. 1943, Construction of the original Madigan General Hospital began during the height of World War II…
The city of Seattle created a locked ward for TB sufferers who deny treatment
In 1949, to help stem the spread of tuberculosis, the city of Seattle created a locked ward for…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Oncology | Therapeutics
Ground was broken for the new University of Washington Health Sciences building
On Mar. 5, 1947, ground was broken for the new University of Washington’s Health Sciences Building. The new…
The University of Washington formally opened a medical school as part of a School of Health Sciences
On Oct. 2. 1946, the University of Washington formally opened a medical school as part of a School…
Governor Wallgren signed Medical-Dental Bill to authorize formation of UW Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
On Mar. 1, 1945, Governor Monard C. Wallgren signed the Medical-Dental Bill which authorized the formation of University…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Fort Lewis General Hospital was redesignated Madigan General Hospital
On Sept. 22, 1944, the War Department General Order Number 76 officially redesignated Fort Lewis General Hospital as…
Dr. William Hutchinson joined the Swedish Tumor Institute
In 1942, Dr. William Hutchinson began a 47 year career in Seattle, Washington when he joined the Swedish…
Senator Homer T. Bone introduced a bill “to control and prevent the spread of the disease of cancer”
On Apr. 2, 1937, Senator Homer T. Bone of Washington introduced S. 2067, “Authorizing the Surgeon General of…
The Tumor Instutute of the Swedish Hospital opened its doors
In 1932, the Tumor Institute of the Swedish Hospital opened its doors. Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Association, later known…
Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children was built on the Marquam Hill campus
In 1926, Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children was built on the Marquam Hill campus and becomes the first…
Movie star Rudolph Valentino visited Seattle’s Children’s Orthopedic Hospital
On May 30, 1923, movie star Rudolph Valentino visited Seattle’s Children’s Orthopedic Hospital during his only known visit…
Hollister-Stier Laboratories was founded in Spokane by chemist Guy Hollister and Robert E Stier, MD
In 1921, Hollister-Stier Laboratories, located in Spokane, is the oldest name in allergy science. The company was founded…
Virginia Mason was founded
In 1920, the Virginia Mason was founded as an 80-bed hospital with six physician offices. It was named…
The Stanley Cup playoffs between the Montreal Canadians and the Seattle Metropolitans cancelled by Spanish flu
On Apr. 1, 1919, the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Montreal Canadians and the Seattle Metropolitans ended tied…
The Spanish Flu reached Oregon
On Oct. 3, 1918, the Spanish Flu reached Portland, Oregon when Private James McNeese, a young soldier on…
The Spanish Flu reached the state of Washington
On Oct. 3, 1918, the Spanish Flu reached the state of Washington when Seattle newspapers reported that one…
The Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company donated 20-acres to the University of Oregon Medical School
In 1917, Dr. Kenneth McKenzie the staff surgeon at Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company persuaded the company to…
The Lundbeck Company was founded
On Aug. 14, 1915, Hans Lundbeck founded a company in Copenhagen, Denmark, which dealt in everything from machinery…
Alice Ball became the first African American and the first woman to graduate with a M.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Hawai
In 1915, Alice Ball became the first African American and the first woman to graduate with a M.S….
Seattle voters passed bond issue to construct a permanent tuberculosis sanatorium
On Mar. 12, 1912, Seattle voters passed a $125,000 bond issue (82 percent in support) to construct a…
The Firland Sanatorium for Tuberculosis patients opened in Seattle as the Henry Sanatorium
On May 2, 1911, the Firland Sanatorium constructed by the Anti-Tuberculosis League of King County at 19303 Fremont…