Book details history of Baystate Medical CenterDate: 12/18/2014 SPRINGFIELD – A commemorative book has been written chronicling Baystate Medical Center’s role as a cutting-edge innovator in the evolution of American hospital care.
Released on Dec. 8, “Baystate Medical Center” is a 128-page pictorial history book published by Arcadia Publishing as part of the “Images of America” series.
Authored by Thomas L. Higgins, MD and Linda S. Baillargeon, “Baystate Medical Center” holds over 200 images dating back as far as the modern hospital’s roots extend, to the opening of Springfield City Hospital in 1870.
“Our priority was photos that show how healthcare has changed since the 1870’s, and we picked as many photos as we could featuring people who were instrumental to the development of the organization,” Higgins told Reminder Publications. In 18 years at Baystate, Higgins has served in many roles, including vice chair for clinical affairs in the Department of Medicine.
The book illustrates the history of the competing hospitals in Western Massachusetts, including Springfield Hospital (originally Springfield City Hospital, 1870), Hampden Homeopathic Hospital (1900), and Wesson Maternity Hospital (1908).
In 1977, the Medical Center of Western Massachusetts and Wesson Memorial Hospital merged, becoming Baystate Medical Center. Today the institution employs over 10,000 people. Baillargeon was in the first year of her career at Wesson Memorial Hospital at the time of the merger.
“I came at the time that the merger was happening. It was truly amazing to see how these two hospitals combined into one – and into a really incredible place,” Baillargeon said.
After examining archived photos with the goal of uncovering material for a book about Baystate Medical Center, a particular narrative presented itself to Higgins and Baillargeon. The authors noted that Baystate’s creation is a microcosm of the changing healthcare industry in America during the post-Civil War era.
“Until the 1870’s, healthcare was relatively the same,” Higgins explained. “You couldn’t perform surgery, and there was very little you could do with medicine. The original Springfield Hospital was opened in 1870. At that time there were less than 200 hospitals in the United States. There is a lot to be said about the development of healthcare and the consolidation of healthcare since then. Baystate was really one of the first multi-hospital institutions in Massachusetts.”
“Baystate Medical Center” highlights many of the medical innovations that have taken place at the institution. For example, the first kidney transplant in the United States was done at Baystate Medical Center in 1951.
“This [book] really describes the evolution of hospitals in America,” Baillargeon, who currently serves as the administrator of the Internal Medicine residency and fellowship training programs at Baystate, said.
Higgins and Baillargeon uncovered enough historical documentation to further explore Baystate’s history in future publications.
“We’re [Baystate] heading towards our 150th anniversary in 2020. I think that would be an opportunity for a much more extensive book. This book is great, it is very readable with lots of pictures and captions, but it can’t capture everything. There is more story to be told,” Higgins said.
“Baystate Medical Center” is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, online retailers, and through Arcadia Publishing. The book is available in softcover at the price of $21.99.
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