REMINISCENT The Evolution of Broward Health: From a 45-Bed Community Hospital to a Regional Healthcare Leader
By Jennifer Cohen
1938 Broward Health’s story begins in the early 1930s, during a period when Broward County urgently needed stable, reliable public medical care. The county’s first hospital, originally the Wallace Apartments, converted into the Edwards-Maxwell Hospital, had closed in 1929 after years of economic strain. Although it reopened under private ownership in 1932, it soon became clear that private facilities alone could not meet the community’s long-term healthcare needs. In 1937, local physicians and civic leaders formed the Broward Hospital Association (BHA) with an ambitious mission: to create a community-owned hospital that would serve all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. Through grassroots fundraising, donated labor, and donated equipment, the BHA transformed the former Granada Apartments into a 45-bed community hospital. On January 2, 1938, Broward General Hospital opened its doors, marking the beginning of what would eventually become Broward Health. public healthcare system. Today, it encompasses multiple hospitals and a broad network of community health centers, specialty programs, outpatient facilities, and home-health services. Its flagship hospital, Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, now operates 716 beds and provides comprehensive services ranging from cardiac care and neonatal medicine to trauma, oncology, and transplantation. Recent years have ushered in a new era of growth. Broward Health has expanded emergency care with a new freestanding ER in Lighthouse Point, increased inpatient capacity at Broward Health Coral Springs and launched major partnerships, including a pediatric collaboration with Nicklaus Children’s Health System. brought major construction projects, including the North Tower in 1967 and South Tower in 1970. Over the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st, Broward Health evolved into the nation’s 10th largest
As Broward County’s population surged, the hospital expanded rapidly. New wings opened in 1942 and 1948. A major turning point came in 1952 when voters approved the creation of the North Broward Hospital District, establishing the governance and public support structure that continues today. The following decades
Through these advancements, Broward Health remains deeply committed to its founding mission: delivering accessible, high-quality care to every member of the community, while preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and expanding services to meet the evolving needs of Broward County. u
2026 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 104
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