Our History
Advancing Academic Medicine in Kansas City
The history of The University of Kansas Health System is a tale of triumph. From humble beginnings on Goat Hill in the small town of Rosedale, now part of Kansas City, Kansas, we have evolved into a destination academic health system sought out by patients and top-notch medical professionals from around the country. Our reputation as the region's premier academic medical center was hard-earned through a collective vision and commitment to unmatched patient care.
Hospital origins
With his donation of land in 1905, Simeon Bell, MD, set the stage for academic medicine in Kansas City and the region. His gift led to the establishment of a hospital founded in 1906 as part of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. The first hospital was quickly outgrown, so a new Bell Hospital opened in 1911, still on Goat Hill, and almost doubled the capacity of its predecessor. By 1924, the hospital had outgrown its space again, so a new hospital was built on a site near the health system’s current main campus, about a mile south of Goat Hill, near West 39th Avenue and Rainbow Boulevard in Kansas City.
The hospital marked an important milestone in 1998 when it became an independent hospital authority, receiving no state funding and no longer part of the School of Medicine. The hospital's official name became The University of Kansas Hospital.
Nearly 20 years later, another milestone occurred. The University of Kansas Hospital joined with the University of Kansas Physicians in 2017 to form The University of Kansas Health System.
Bob Hemenway: I'm Bob Hemenway, the chancellor of the University of Kansas. The legislature passed legislation which enables The Kansas University Hospital to become a public authority.
Speaker 2: We're thankful to have so many who are expressing an interest in what we do think is a very significant and an historic event.
Speaker 3: I'm thrilled to let you know that we're designating The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas as a Magnet [inaudible 00:00:58].
Speaker 4: The University of Kansas Hospital is a Magnet organization again.
Speaker 5: This is your fourth designation. Congratulations.
Speaker 6: You are the best of the best in your profession, and this entire organization appreciates each and every one of you.
Speaker 7: They'll do measurements of your arms.
Annette Bloch: I am so proud to announce that I'm giving a donation of 20 million dollars.
Speaker 9: Long stride.
Speaker 10: Two, one.
Speaker 11: Set. Hut! There you go. I like it.
Speaker 12: On behalf of The University of Kansas Health System, we are honored to be the official healthcare provider of the Kansas City Chiefs, and we are humbled to be the beneficiary of tonight's 101 dinner.
Speaker 13: The Sunderland Foundation board approved a grant to complete the three floors in the Cambridge North Tower for 66 million dollars.
Speaker 14: It was 20 years ago on this very day, at this very time that the hospital authority was born.
Speaker 15: It really is an exciting day for KU today. We're really thrilled to be here to announce Kansas Team Health. This collaboration really positions KU and Kansas athletics to be leaders in this area nationally.
Speaker 16: Later today, we're going to be making the announcement of our intention to build the region's first proton therapy center.
Speaker 17: Three, two, one. Woo!
This shall be a place where the people of Kansas and areas surrounding may enjoy the best medical care available anywhere. – Simeon Bishop Bell, MD
Hospital milestones
A legacy of excellence
Our reputation as the region’s premier academic health system was hard-earned, making each achievement that much more meaningful. Today, we are consistently ranked among the nation's top hospitals and academic medical centers in the country.
Our accomplishments