I was fortunate to have been able to attend the 70th anniversary celebration of Rose Medical Center this past month where I spoke with the President and CEO, Ryan Tobin, about its rich heritage and the high-quality birthing center that has been home to many parents who have come to have their children delivered.
After a welcome speech by Rabbi Jeffrey Kaye, the program included remarks by board members of both Rose Medical Center and HealthONE as well as a captivating presentation honoring the hospital’s and foundation’s namesake Major General Maurice Rose, as well as the family of Dr. Edmond Noel, the family of Dr. Sol Bassow, the 3D Armored Division of the U.S. Army and the Rose Community Foundation.
A Little History
More than 70 years ago, on the heels of World War II, a group of Jewish physicians in Denver recognized an urgent need for additional hospital beds. Denver’s population was soaring, and the hospitals couldn’t keep up with community need. In addition, young Jewish physicians were returning from the war without a place to practice medicine. The Jewish Physicians’ Committee believed a new Denver hospital could solve both concerns. A unique community fundraising campaign was born and, in 1949, the General Maurice Rose Memorial Hospital was opened.
The hospital was named for fallen WWII hero and Denver son, General Maurice Rose. Rose was the highest-ranking Jewish officer in the US Army. Continuing in its namesake’s tradition, General Maurice Rose Memorial Hospital (later Rose Medical Center) earned the distinction of being America’s first post-war, privately sponsored hospital, and later became the first hospital in Denver to admit physicians based solely on their professional credentials regardless of race or religion. With a foundational value “to serve the need of every creed,” these marked just the beginning of many innovative milestones from Rose Medical Center.
As the hospital was nearing completion, those at the helm had a grand idea to dedicate the hospital by inviting General (later, President) Dwight D. Eisenhower to lay the cornerstone for the building. General Eisenhower would accept the invitation and participate in a dedication ceremony in August of 1948 where he lay the cornerstone.
Rose Babies
According to Tobin, the hospital is proud of its patient engagement and the staff, which is passionate and invested in all they’re doing. “At our birthing center, we offer a tailored program so each patient can devise her own birthing plan well in advance of delivery,” he said. “Just this past year, we delivered 4,000 babies and offer a variety of helpful women’s services that go beyond pregnancy which include classes, support groups, and behavioral health partnerships with the goal of providing our patients with a great and comfortable experience.”
Parents are welcome to tour the birthing center to find out all it offers.
“We meet two types of people here at Rose Medical Center,” added Tobin. “Those who apologize for not having had their children here, and those who are thankful for having had their children delivered here.”
As one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation, Rose has also been named as the “Top Baby Hospital in Denver” by 5280 Magazine, “Best Birthing Center” by Colorado Parent Magazine, one of the “Top 8 Places To Give Birth in the Nation” by Fit Pregnancy magazine, and Rose has more “Top Doctors” as recognized in 5280 Magazine than any other hospital in the area.
For more information, visit: Rose Medical Center.
