BMC was created by the formal merger in July 1996 of Boston City Hospital, the first municipal hospital in the United States, and Boston University Medical Center Hospital, sponsored at founding by the Methodists and then by Boston University. Boston University School of Medicine opened its doors November 5, 1873, combining the New England Female Medical College with the medical staff of the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital. Dr. Israel T. Talbot was the first chairman of the Department of Surgery at BU while also serving as the first Dean of BUSM. The history of the Department of Surgery at BU dates back to 1946, when Dr. Reginald H. Smithwick was recruited from Massachusetts General Hospital to serve as Surgeon-in-Chief. With him, he brought a team of talented surgeons, including Dr. Jesse Thompson, a pioneer in vascular surgery; Dr. Douglas Farmer, a gastrointestinal surgeon; Dr. Chester Howe, a specialist in surgical infectious disease; and Dr. George Whitelaw, a noted educator and general surgeon. Smithwick served as chairman for nearly 20 years, and was followed by Dr. Richard Egdahl who was recruited from the Medical College of Virginia in 1963. Dr. Egdahl continued to pioneer the clinical research capabilities, and later retired in 1973. In 1997, Dr. Egdahl was named the first Alexander Graham Bell Professor of Entrepreneurial Medicine at BUSM. Following periods of leadership by Drs. Lester Williams, Peter Mozden, Robert Hobson, Edward Spatz, James Becker, and Gerard Doherty, in 2017 Jennifer F. Tseng, MD, MPH, assumed the position of Surgeon-in-Chief at Boston Medical Center and Chair and Utley Professor of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine. In March 2017, the Boston Medical Center announced that it had received a $25 million gift, the largest in its history, from John Grayken and his wife, Eilene. The donation will go to the creation of the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine at BMC. Michael Botticelli was named its director.
Research
The Framingham Heart Study, a longitudinal study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with staff who are faculty at the Boston University School of Medicine, has helped obtained much of our current knowledge about heart disease. The amyloidosis Center at Boston Medical Center is known internationally as a leader in basic and clinical research on amyloidosis. Notably, they pioneered the use of high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation for patients with AL amyloidosis.
Fiscal Year 2019 Statistics
Supporting services
The hospital has many services, extending beyond traditional medical procedures. With its long history of serving the low-income population, the hospital has programs that include:
The Preventive Food Pantry to which doctors can write prescriptions for food for undernourished patients
A Roof Top Farm, which supplies some of the food used by this Pantry and in BMC's cafeteria
The bWell Center innovative approach to educating and supporting families of the Boston Medical Center Pediatrics Department.
Home visits to ensure patients and their families are following care instructions, and to identify problems at home which may lead to medical conditions
Lawyers on staff to help people navigate government assistance programs, and to deal with landlords who maintain unhealthy conditions
Special counseling and asylum assistance for victims of torture and political persecution
Training for first responders dealing with children who have witnessed violence
Pediatricians giving books to families with children to promote reading
Boston Medical Center (BMC) HealthNet Plan
BMC HealthNet plan earned the #3 rank among Medicaid plans in the nation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance in its Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Rankings, 2011–2012. Comprehensive coverage for hospital, primary care, specialty, and behavioral health care are among the benefits and services provided. The Plan also offers extras beyond traditional benefits: all members receive discounts on Weight Watchers® and fitness club memberships plus access to a 24/7 Nurse Advice Line. In addition, MassHealth members receive free car child safety seats and bike helmets for children and manual breast pumps for nursing mothers. BMC HealthNet Plan also operates Well Sense Health Plan, a Medicaid plan in New Hampshire.
Employees
Boston Medical Center employs 5,976 full-time equivalent employees, consisting of more than 1,466 in-house physicians—including 711 residents and fellows—and 1,849 nurses.
Boston Medical Center was one of three hospitals used to film the television documentary series , airing on ABC. The hospital was also one of several later sued in a lawsuit over privacy concerns related to the filming.
The biographical drama film Stronger centers around Jeff Bauman, a victim of the Boston Marathon Bombing who suffers traumatic injuries to both legs and must undergo an emergency double amputation. His medical care and subsequent recovery take place at Boston Medical Center.
