In 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a prominent African-American surgeon and founder of Provident, performed the nation’s first open-heart surgery at the hospital. This operation, completed without X-rays, antibiotics, surgical prep-work or tools of modern surgery, placed both “Dr. Dan” and Provident Hospital at the forefront of one of Chicago’s medical milestones.

Provident Hospital established the first nursing school for Black women in Chicago. Throughout this century, Provident Hospital’s mission remained unchanged, providing quality health care to the medically underserved. After a long and distinguished history of service, rising hospital costs made it difficult for inner city hospitals to survive. As a result, Provident Hospital closed its doors in 1987.

Cook County recognized the importance and need for continued health care on Chicago’s South Side and purchased the facility from the federal government in 1990. After investing $58 million in upgrades and investments, Provident Hospital of Cook County opened on August 17, 1993 as a public, community teaching hospital. Today, Provident Hospital serves as a vital link to provide ambulatory and primary care health services.