Having just 12 beds at its opening on September 21, 1902, the then Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, the Cedars-Sinai is now one of the most internationally popular hospitals today. The academic health science center today has a total number of 886. Over 2000 physicians, 10000 employees, 2000 volunteers, and 40 community groups support the organization.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Cedars-Sinai is the second-best medical facility in the western United States as of 2020-21. However, the factor that makes the hospital special is its deep emotional connection with Hollywood. From celebrity babies taking birth to Hollywood legends breathing their last, the entire entertainment industry has many memories associated with Cedars-Sinai.
What You Always Wanted to Know About Cedars-Sinai
The multispeciality non-profit hospital emphasizes technologically advanced medical education and biomedical research. The research centers here cover numerous areas. This includes genetics, gene therapy, neuroscience, surgery, organ transplantation, immunology, gastroenterology, biomedical imaging, cardiovascular system, and cancer.
Currently, 230 principal investigators are leading over 500 clinical trials and 900 research projects. Students can pursue a Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences and master’s degree programs in magnetic resonance in medicine. Besides that, they can also pursue a course in health delivery service from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences within the Cedars-Sinai campus. It houses a level-1 trauma center for adults and pediatrics. Cedars-Sinai holds seventh place in the list of the best hospitals in the United States.
Rankings
Cedars-Sinai holds the second spot just behind UCLA in the list of best hospitals in California. Across the United States, the hospital is the seventh-best. It has found a mention in numerous rankings based on specialization across the country. Cancer (7th), Diabetes and Endocrinology (13th), Cardiology and Heart Surgery (3rd), Gynecology (7th), Nephrology (9th), Orthopedics (3rd), Ear, Nose, and Throat/E.N.T. (22nd), Geriatrics (11th), Gastroenterology and G.I. Surgery (2nd), Urology (11th), Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (3rd).
Cedars Sinai and Hollywood
At the time of laying the foundation stone, the name of the hospital was Kaspar Cohn Hospital. The founders, however, chose to go with the name Cedars of Lebanon by the time the hospital was open to serve people. The 12-bed facility underwent an expansion and took the form of a majestic Art Deco building on Hollywood’s Fountain Avenue. Soon, film moguls such as Jack Warner, Will Rogers, and Joseph Schenk were willing to donate to expand the facilities.
After World War II, Al Jolson donated his Mulholland Drive estate to construct a maternity ward and a pediatrics pavilion to look after the babies born after the war. Another Jewish hospital, Mount Sinai Home for the Incurables, opened in 1926, was operational around the same time. Louis B. Mayer conducted a fund-raiser that could guarantee payment for the hospital-stay expenses in 1928, and the likes of Norma Shearer, George Raft, Joan Crawford, and Barbara Stanwyck were part of the event.
Meanwhile, Cedars’ facility on Fountain Avenue gradually started to get footfalls from the who’s who of the entertainment industry. In 1952, Marilyn Monroe visited the facility to have her appendix removed. Once, Elizabeth Taylor had a stay at Cedars. She was on the fifth floor. Richard asked Chasen’s to send dinner for her and got Chasen’s tuxedoed violinists to play for her. Peter Sellers was among the most frequently visiting patients. Gary Marshall’s wife, Barbara Marshall, was an I.C.U. nurse in the early half of the 60s decade.
The Merger of Cedars and Mount Sinai
Cedars-Sinai got financial aid from Jack Lemmon, Charlton Heston, Eddie Wasserman, and Jules C. Stein after the merger of Cedars with Mount Sinai in 1961. The merger proved beneficial as the Jewish hospitals didn’t have to compete to raise funds. Steven Spielberg, Marvin Davis, and Mark Goodson have buildings on the campus named after them. It’s an acknowledgment of the multimillion-dollar gifts the hospital has received from the legends.
The 55-year-old Women’s Guild, founded by Nancy Sinatra, Fran Stark, and Rosalind Russell, now includes Wendy Goldberg, Morgan Fairchild, Anne Douglas, and Marcia Ziffren. While Patrick Swayze was treated for pancreatic cancer here, Frank Sinatra died due to a heart attack. It’s the same place where Madonna had her hernia surgery and Jessica Simpson had her baby.
With such a long and decorated history, Cedars Sinai remains the heart and soul of Hollywood. It seems that it will stay so for another century or even more.
