History of the First Hospital Foundation

In October 1997, as the result of a merger transaction, Pennsylvania Hospital became a subsidiary of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), which is a division of The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Hospital retained its name, separate operating status and certain governance rights and responsibilities, while reporting and becoming accountable to UPHS, now known as Penn Medicine.

To continue Pennsylvania Hospital’s charitable mission of serving the sick and poor, the First Hospital Foundation was formed at the time of the merger. It was initially funded, in part, by a promissory note that was issued by Pennsylvania Hospital and guaranteed by UPHS. Subsequently, that note has been paid in full.

The foundation’s board of directors consists of former Pennsylvania Hospital board managers, two representatives of UPHS and other health care experts from the community.

The foundation’s mission is to support programs that improve the health of vulnerable and underserved populations in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The foundation’s secondary mission is to support the preservation of the historic artifacts and memorials of Pennsylvania Hospital.

Today, with $38 million in net assets, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide health care services in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Since its inception the First Hospital Foundation has awarded over $13.8 million in grants to 110 nonprofit organizations in the region.