HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

City of Syracuse

Submitted by Robert T. Bond

Source:  Dwight H. Bruce (ed.), Onondaga's Centennial.  Boston History Co., 1896, Vol. I, pp. 544-545.


House of the Good Shepherd. - About the year 1871-2 two Canadian women, members of the Episcopal church, came to Syracuse sick with fever and were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital. On the following Sunday, Bishop Huntington, in St. Paul’s church, alluded to the incident, dwelling upon and regretting the fact that the church people had no hospital in the city. At the close of the service a gentleman offered a house in East Fayette street for this purpose, rent free, if others would furnish it. The offer was promptly accepted and the hospital was immediately opened. Later it was removed to Hawley street. Outgrowing that institution, George F. Comstock in July, 1874, offered to the board the present site on Marshall street, and measures were inaugurated for erecting a suitable building. This building is a wooden structure three stories high and was finished in December, 1875. The name, “House of the Good Shepherd,” was given to the institution previous to its removal from Hawley street. The first officers were: President, Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, S. T. D.; secretary, Rev. Thomas E. Pattison; treasurer, D. O. Salmon; executive committee, A. C. Powell, D. O. Salmon, D. W. Marvin. The first medical staff consisted of Drs. Dunlap, Benedict, Didama, Plant, and Rhoades, and the first surgical staff were Drs. Van Duyn, Mercer, and Pease. The doors of the institution are open to all who need its care, regardless of their belief, race or color. The number of beds is nearly sixty, and they are usually full. There are two memorial rooms, one furnished by Mrs. D. P. Wood, in memory of her daughter, and the other by Mrs. W. G. Hibbard, of Chicago, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Peter Van Schaack. There are also three free beds, one supported by the British American Association; one by Mrs. Thayer-Webb, of Skaneateles; and the Van Schaack memorial bed. The sum necessary to support a bed for one year is $250 and any one may have the privilege.

In 1885 a department was established for the training of nurses in connection with the hospital. Miss L. B. Mills, a graduate from Bellevue Hospital, of New York, was made superintendent of this school and hospital. In 1887 a building was erected adjoining the hospital for the accommodation of the school. The training covers a course of two years, and the discipline is strict.


Submitted 18 October 1998