On October 9, 2023, Doylestown Health honored the founders of Doylestown Hospital, the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), and generations of people who have made the hospital what it is today. The event proudly commemorated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the very first Doylestown Emergency Hospital on October 9, 1923, and acknowledged the impact that the VIA and the community have had on the hospital and the health system – honoring past, present, and bright future.
The community-wide celebration featured the raising of a commemorative centennial flag, designed by a Doylestown Health Associate and chosen by the VIA, on the Doylestown Hospital campus. The Central Bucks High School West marching band and Lenape Middle School choir performed for those gathered, prior to remarks by Doylestown Health President and CEO James L. Brexler, FACHE; as well as VIA President Helen Hammes; and Marianne Chabot, Chair of the Boards, Doylestown Hospital and Doylestown Health Foundation.
In her remarks, Hammes noted, “In 1907 the women of the VIA started a hospital fund because they believed that quality healthcare could be provided close to home and that the citizens of Doylestown should stay in their own community whenever possible.”
That vision is realized today, as Chabot noted, “From Doylestown Emergency Hospital’s humble beginnings at Pine and Oakland 100 years ago, it has evolved to become the flagship hospital to our award-winning, comprehensive healthcare system—Doylestown Health.”
“We are a center of excellence for a number of specialties and achieve national recognition for quality and patient safety year after year…we are able to deliver high-quality healthcare in a setting that is not only state-of-the-art but offers comfort and personal attention,” Chabot added.
In his remarks, Jim Brexler read from remarks given by Dr. Frank Swarztlander on October 9, 1923, “This is the consummation of a long effort, we have the equipment for an 8-bed hospital, if you people have the gumption to run it... Then we will see it grow and grow and keep on growing until it comes to fill a place in the community that it will not be possible to do without.”
Brexler also spoke to the hospital’s exciting future, “A century is a truly remarkable milestone for any organization,” he said, “Because of the extraordinary efforts of our VIA, the Doylestown community, generous partners, our incredible teams, and all of you here today, we have prepared ourselves to harness all of these advancements and walk confidently into our second century.”
To read more about Doylestown Health’s amazing history and this Centennial milestone, visit dh100.org.
About Doylestown Health
Doylestown Health is a comprehensive healthcare system of inpatient, outpatient, and wellness education services connected to meet the health needs of the local and regional community. The flagship of Doylestown Health is Doylestown Hospital, a not-for-profit, community teaching hospital with 247 beds and a medical staff of more than 435 physicians who provide the highest quality care in over 50 specialties. Renowned locally, regionally, and nationally, Doylestown Hospital provides superior healthcare and offers advanced surgical procedures, innovative medical treatments, and comprehensive specialty services. Now in its 100th year of service in central Bucks County, Doylestown Hospital is proud to educate and train the next generation of physicians through its family medicine residency program. Ranked as one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek and 8th in Pennsylvania, Doylestown Hospital is distinguished in both infection prevention and patient experience. Doylestown Hospital is the only hospital in Pennsylvania to achieve 15 consecutive ‘A’ grades for patient safety from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.
