Helen Hayes Hospital promotes independence
and health through high quality, cost-effective medical rehabilitation
care with dignity and respect for all.
Founded in 1900 by Dr. Newton Schaffer, Helen Hayes Hospital is the first free-standing state operated hospital for the treatment of physically disabled persons in the United States. The hospital was initially established in response to a public health epidemic, providing treatment to children suffering from the ravages of tuberculosis. The facility was conceived not only to improve the physical health of the children, but also offer vocational and educational services that would enable them to lead productive, independent lives.
In
the early years, the majority of patients were treated
for tuberculosis of the bone and joint. By 1920, polio
was the leading cause of hospitalization, accounting
for nearly one third of the hospital’s admissions.
The years 1944-45 saw the hospital face acute shortages
of personnel because of the ongoing war effort, coupled
with the worst polio epidemic yet experienced.
The hospital and its staff were severely taxed, and manyvolunteer organizations and individuals gave considerable assistance during this emergency.At this time, the legal restrictions for the admissions of patients under the age of 21 was lifted and adults were admitted for the first time.
Helen
Hayes MacArthur became involved with the hospital in
the 1940's and in 1944 was appointed to the hospital’s
Board of Visitors.
By the end of the 1960's, the
prevalent conditions among children admittedto the hospitalwere congenital abnormalities
and cerebral palsy. Major causes for adult admission
were stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation and orthopaedic
problems.
Through the years, the hospital has grown into a facility that is affiliated with NewYork Presbyterian Healthcare System and is capable of caring for patients with the most complex and challenging disabilities. It has 155 inpatient beds, a comprehensive Day Hospital program, an active outpatient care service and a Transitional Rehabilitation Center for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury.
Helen Hayes
MacArthur and the Hospital
The hospital was renamed in honor of the famous actress Helen
Hayes MacArthur in 1974.
Mrs. MacArthur
was appointed to the hospital’s Board of Visitors
in 1944 by Governor Thomas E. Dewey, and served for 49
years, until her death in 1993. Mrs. MacArthur was a tireless
advocate for the hospital. She successfully led a fight
to keep the hospital in West Haverstraw during the 1960s
when a proposal was made to move the facility to Albany’s
Empire State Plaza.
She was also
instrumental during the 1970s in lobbying for funding
to transform the hospital into a state-of -the art facility.
Her tremendous efforts on behalf of the hospital were
rewarded on October 10, 1980 when the new $37.8 million
hospital was dedicated.
Mrs. MacArthur contributed
her enthusiastic support to hospital events and fund-raising
efforts, including faithful attendance at the hospital’s
annual Classic Race and the use of her home Pretty Penny for
a dinner to launch the hospital’s endowment fund. Known
as the First Lady of the American Theater, Mrs. MacArthur endowed
the hospital with not only her name, but her enduring spirit
and legacy of hope.
A Rose by Any Other Name ...
Over its 100 year history, the hospital has had several
names.
-New York State Hospital for the Care of Crippled and
Deformed Children (1900)
-NYS Orthopaedic Hospital for Children (1923)
-New York State Reconstruction Home (1929)
-NYS Rehabilitation Hospital (1948)
-NYS Rehabilitation and Research Hospital (1972)
-Helen Hayes Hospital (1974)
