The calorimeter, used in metabolism research conducted by the Russell Sage Institute of Pathology and Cornell University Medical College, is moved to New York Hospital from Bellevue Hospital. Connected to the research is a small six-bed ward, which would later become the oldest ward dedicated to metabolism research in the country. Dr. Eugene DuBois leads the research, which began in 1913 under the leadership of Dr. Graham Lusk, chair of the Department of Physiology.
Research Highlight: Metabolism
Date:
1932 to 1933
Patient Care Highlight: Blood Bank
Date:
1938 to 1939
A blood bank is established for blood transfusions in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1938. In 1939, the Blood Bank is more formally organized under the Central Laboratories. The first blood bank was founded at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 1936. In New York, Mt. Sinai opened a blood bank in May 1938. (Photo taken in 1968 by Camera Associates.)
Research Highlight: Ade Milhorat, M.D.; Muscular Dystrophy
Date:
1939
The Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry establish the Internal Medical Laboratory Division, led by Dr. Ade Milhorat, for general medical, biochemical, and pharmacological research. Dr. Milhorat is well regarded for his muscular dystrophy research. (Photo taken in 1952 by the New York Times.)
Research Highlight: Harold Wolff, M.D.; Psychosomatic Illness, Headaches, and Human Ecology
Date:
1943
The Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry establish the Neurological Laboratory Division, led by Dr. Harold Wolff, to conduct neurological and psychobiological research. Dr. Wolff is well regarded for his research in the fields of psychosomatic illness and headaches.
Later, in 1954, Dr. Wolff organizes the pioneer Human Ecology Program.
Research Highlight: George Papanicolaou, M.D.; Pap Smear
Date:
1943
The pap smear test for cervical cancer, developed by Dr. George Papanicolaou from the Department of Anatomy, is first used. Dr. Papanicolaou works with Dr. Harold Traut from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology to develop the test. Their book, “Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer by the Vaginal Smear”, is published by the Commonwealth Fund. Research on the pap smear began in the 1920s.
Patient Care Highlight: Transfusion Clinic
Date:
1944
The Transfusion Clinic, the first of its kind in the country, is established for children with Cooley’s Anemia (Thalassemia) and other blood diseases. Dr. Carl Smith, who is considered the father of pediatric hematology, conducts pioneer research on blood diseases. (Photo by Paul Parker.)
Patient Care Highlight: Ophthalmology
Date:
1944
The first eye bank in United States to store human corneas for transplant operations opens at New York Hospital in 1944.
In 1963, Dr. John McLean, Division Chief, begins performing cryosurgery for retinal detachments. (Photo by Bernard Cole.)
Medical Education Highlight: Televised Surgery
Date:
1947
In September, RCA broadcasts the first televised operations performed at New York Hospital to the American College of Surgeons’ conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
Patient Care Highlight: Neonatology
Date:
1948
Dr. Samuel Levine conducts pioneer research in the 1930s and '40s on infants’ formulas and respiratory metabolism of premature infants. In 1948, the Premature Unit, one of the first in the nation, is established as a regional center for New York County.
Later in 1975, the Perinatology Center, led by Dr. Peter Auld, continues the tradition of providing advanced, state of the art care for premature infants.
Medical Education Highlight: Institute for Physicians and Nurses in the Care of Premature Infants
Date:
1949
In October, New York Hospital and the New York State Department of Health establish the Institute for Physicians and Nurses in the Care of Premature Infants, one of the first postgraduate programs with focus on premature infants. The course becomes an annual event at the medical center for several years. (Photo taken in 1962 by Esther Bubley.)
Medical Education Highlight: Comprehensive Care and Teaching Program
Date:
1951 to 1967
The Medical Comprehensive Care and Teaching Program is established. It remains part of Cornell University Medical College curriculum until 1967. (Photo taken in 1952 by Murray Tarr Inc.)
Research Highlight: Anesthesiology
Date:
1954
Drs. Frank Glenn and Joseph Artusio develop ether analgesia, which allows a patient to be conscious without feeling any pain or memory of the surgery.
Later, from 1958 to 1961, Drs. Joseph Artusio and Alan Van Poznak develop the non-flammable ether inhalation anesthetic methoxyflurane.
Research Highlight: Vincent du Vigneaud, Ph.D.; Nobel Prize Winner
Date:
1955
Dr. Vincent du Vigneaud, Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the pituitary gland hormone oxytocin, which is crucial for childbirth and producing milk.
Dr. Vigneaud is also known for accomplishing the first synthesization of penicillin in 1946. (Photo by Text & Bilder.)
Patient Care Highlight: Kidney Transplant
Date:
1963
The first kidney transplant in the metropolitan area is performed by a renal group led by Dr. Albert Rubin. (Photo: a kidney transplant operation in 1968.)
Patient Care Highlight: Fritz Fuchs, M.D.; Obstetrics & Gynecology
Date:
1965
Dr. Fritz Fuchs, Obstetrician and Gynecologist-in-Chief at New York Hospital, is credited with introducing the laparoscope into the U.S. gynecological practice.
Two years later, in 1967, Dr. Fuchs develops the use of alcohol as an intravenous agent for preventing premature labor.
Patient Care Highlight: Burn Center
Date:
1976 to 1977
The first full service burn center in the New York metropolitan area opens in December. A 1977 expansion of the facility, which includes the FDNY Skin Bank, makes it the largest burn center in the country.
Later, in 1998, the burn center is renamed William Randolph Hearst Burn Center.
Patient Care Highlight: MRI
Date:
1983
New York Hospital is the first in the New York metropolitan area to install an MRI machine.
Research Highlight: AIDS
Date:
1983 to 1991
AIDS biomedical research begins in 1983. The Center for Special Studies and AIDS Clinical Trials, directed by Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, is established in 1986. In 1991, a new facility on the 24th Floor of the Baker Tower is opened.
In addition, Dr. Alton Meister, Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, conducts pioneer research during this time.
Research Highlight: Ronald Crystal, M.D.; Gene Therapy
Date:
1993
In April, Dr. Ronald Crystal, Chief of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, is the first to use a genetically altered cold virus to treat cystic fibrosis, at his research laboratory at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. He continues his pioneer research at this medical center.
Two years later, in 1995, Dr. Crystal performs a similar gene therapy to treat colorectal cancer that has metastasized the liver. (Photo by Medical Art and Photography.)
