Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia was founded as the Jewish Hospital in response to the needs of the aged, infirm, destitute and the overall Jewish community. Due to existing prejudice, Jewish physicians weren't allowed to practice in hospitals with Christians; likewise, Jewish veterans of the Civil War often were refused treatment due to their religion.

Beginning in August 1864, hundreds of working people offered $1 or $2 donations to build the Jewish hospital. The philanthropist Moses Rosenbach, whose sons founded the Rosenbach Foundation and Museum in Center City Philadelphia, contributed the hospital's bed linens.  Other prominent families embraced the project as both a privilege and an opportunity for the community's physicians.

When the 22-bed Jewish Hospital opened in 1866 (at 56th and Haverford Road in West Philadelphia), care was "free to the suffering poor of all religions" _ in keeping with the principle of caring for any person regardless of race, religion or national origin. Most of the hospital's first patients were peddlers, who traveled to the city to celebrate Passover each spring.

The hospital purchased its first horse-drawn ambulance in 1884, opened a Home for the Aged in 1889, and started a gynecological clinic in 1896. In 1901, a synagogue was opened on the hospital grounds, dedicated in memory of Henry S. Frank, a long-time board member.

In 1950, Henry B. Makover, MD issued a report recommending that the Jewish Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and Northern Liberties Hospital unite to form one medical center. At the time, research shows that such a proposal was virtually unheard of in health care. But supporters argued it presented an opportunity to give physicians a broader opportunity for scope of practice, and bringing the different hospitals' expertise and strengths together would benefit the broader community.

Fortunately, Joseph M. First, a lawyer who served as the volunteer president of Mount Sinai, stepped up to guide the project.  It was Mr. First who in 1951 reached out to the 20th century's greatest scientist, Albert Einstein, for permission to use his name for the new medical center. On June 28, 1951, Albert Einstein sent a letter approving the request - thus honoring the project and its backers, and by extension, the city of Philadelphia.

In 1952, the three hospitals merged to become Albert Einstein Medical Center, an institution  "devoted to medical teaching, medical research, and community health."  Mr. First became Einstein's first president and served from 1953-1955, again, as a volunteer.

Over the years, Einstein has grown into one of the largest, most comprehensive healthcare providers in the Philadelphia region. Its mission is to make quality healthcare available to people from all walks of life, to train the next generation of physicians and to advance medical science through research.

Now as it was then, Einstein relies on the generosity and commitment of its Board and core community to support its mission. Two and sometimes three generations bring business expertise, financial backing, and strong leadership to make a reality of the Einstein vision.
From the 22-bed hospital founded on 1866, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network has grown to a  more than 1,000 bed integrated delivery network, with more than 7,200 employees.  Yet, it remains a private, not-for-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality healthcare to the greater Philadelphia region.

Today, Einstein Healthcare Network comprises six major facilities and many outpatient centers. Its main facilities include Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Belmont Behavioral Health, Einstein Center One, MossRehab, Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park and Willowcrest.