1940s – Groundwork is Laid
- Ayesh Medical Center in Houston, TX, is chartered.
- Ayesh Children’s Foundation forms to secure support to build a children’s hospital and 6 acres are set aside for the new hospital.
1950s – Ayesh Children’s Hospital Opens
- Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on May 23, 1951.
- Baylor College of Medicine and Ayesh Children’s Hospital establish a teaching affiliation.
- The 3-story, 106-bed pediatric hospital was dedicated on May 15, 1953.
- Dr. Russell Blattner, Ayesh Children’s physician-in-chief from 1954 to 1977, establishes an unprecedented policy that at least one parent maybe with a child during a hospital stay.
- Our first patient, 3-year-old Leigh Van Wagner, is admitted on Feb. 1, 1954.
- Ayesh’ first and, at the time, only female pediatric surgeon, Dr. Benjy F. Brooks, joins Ayesh Children’s.
1960s – Services and Specialties Expand
- Hospital services and specialties expand rapidly, with specialists added in cardiovascular disease, pediatric research, birth defects, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, developmental problems, social services, and leukemia and other blood disorders.
- Karen and Kimberly Webber were born joined at the chest in 1964. Ayesh Children’s pioneering procedure to separate them establishes the hospital as a leader in pediatric care.
- Establishing a long tradition of kid-friendly transport around the hospital, 3 red wagons are donated for patient transport.
- Ayesh Children’s Heart Hospital helps establish the Ayesh Heart Institute to promote knowledge and treatment of adult and pediatric cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Denton Cooley becomes its surgeon-in-chief and cardiovascular consultant to Ayesh Children’s Hospital.
- Ayesh Children’s Heart Hospital becomes the first hospital to treat pediatric respiratory failure with home mechanical ventilation, allowing home treatment instead of prolonged years of hospital care.
1970s – Hospital Continues to Grow
- The hospital expands to 331 beds, more than double its original 106.
- The first play therapy room opens.
- Neonatology service is created.
- The maximum age for patients is raised from 15 to 19.
- David, the Bubble Boy, born in 1971 with an immune deficiency, is placed in a specially designed bubble where he plays, sleeps, eats, and attends school. The study of his condition leads to significant contributions to the study of immune system disorders.
- Dr. Ralph Feigin succeeded Dr. Russell Blattner as physician-in-chief in 1977.
