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Our History
In 1922, Blythedale moved to its present campus in Valhalla. The new Blythedale Home took up residence in a 22-room main building located on 17 acres. Renovations to the building included the addition of a playroom, sun parlor and sleeping porches. More extensive remodeling included the creation of rooms for operating, plastering, and x-raying. In 1949, a major wing (sleeping 24) and a staff building were added.
While the Hospital has undergone dramatic changes to its physical plant, it has evolved its mission, as well, in order to continue meeting the highly specialized needs of its patients. By the late 1940's, the discovery of antibiotics such as penicillin, and tuberculosis prevention programs reduced the incidence of the ailments Blythedale had primarily been treating. Orthopedic ailments such as Legg-Perthes and scoliosis began to fill the beds left empty by the elimination of tuberculosis, osteomylitis, and, after 1955, polio. In 1963, the Hospital decided not to limit its treatment to orthopedic and neuromuscular disorders, but to use the skills it had developed for children with metabolic disorders, blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, speech and hearing disorders, and other disabilities requiring a wide range of medical services. This in turn required an expansion of staff and equipment, increased services and affiliation with one or more medical schools. In 1971, Blythedale opened the Mt. Pleasant/Blythedale School under its roof – the only hospital in the state with a public school district on site specifically designed to meet the educational needs of its patients. The 1990's continued to bring changes to Blythedale. At the request of major teaching hospitals and pediatricians, Blythedale developed innovative clinical programs, as well as support services, to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate children with a variety of highly complex rehabilitative and medical needs. In addition, Blythedale expanded its medical staff to include approximately 50 physicians drawn from the top medical schools and residency training programs throughout the United States in their relevant fields of expertise. Today, Blythedale is the only independent, free-standing children's rehabilitation hospital in the entire United States, according to the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions. In July of 2001, Larry Levine was appointed president. It is the vision of the current leader that Blythedale will continue to pursue the development of innovative clinical programs and clinical partnerships with prestigious academic medical centers, as well as working toward positioning itself as the pre-eminent children's hospital in the region serving children with special healthcare needs. |
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Blythedale's first recorded history dates back to 1891, when a group of women of the New York Ethical Culture Society began visiting shut-in children in New York City, furnishing them with clothing and food, as well as obtaining medical attention for them. In addition, the group provided these children summer vacations in the areas surrounding the city. In 1903, $10,000 was donated toward the establishment of a permanent summer home. This home was located in Hawthorne, just north of the Hospital's current location. The home became a year-round operation in 1913, and 34 children were admitted. Of the 26 girls and eight boys, all but one was a victim of tuberculosis. The residential facility was formally named the Blythedale Home.
In 1961, Robert Stone took over as President of Blythedale - a position he would hold for 40 years. It was at this time Blythedale received its accreditation as a hospital, officially changing its name to Blythedale Children's Hospital in 1964. The Hospital underwent a major $6,300,000 reconstruction project to accommodate 92 beds. A swimming and treatment pool and a large multi-purpose area were added, followed by construction of a new school and diagnostic, therapy and administrative areas. When construction of the project was complete, nothing remained of the original hospital or convalescent home. In 1998, the Hospital added a beautiful 32,000 square-foot school building.