Butterworth Hospital is one of four facilities that make up the Spectrum Health Medical Center in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Our rich history dates back to 1890. Over the last century, we have grown into a regional leader in care, diagnostics, treatment, prevention and education. And our community continues to grow as well—the Family Birthplace at Butterworth Hospitals delivers more than 8,000 babies a year.
Butterworth Hospital also is home to Spectrum Health's Level I Trauma Center. We are the only health care system in West Michigan with Level I trauma certification.
History Of Butterworth Hospital
** Butterworth Hospital History **
Butterworth Hospital owes its beginning to the work of the women of St. Mark's Church in Grand Rapids. In 1873, Reverend Samuel Earp asked the ladies of his congregation to help two elderly and homeless parishioners. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fuller loaned an 11-room house to be run by the women. In the first year, the St. Mark's Church Home cared for six elderly women.
In 1875, the Fullers donated a larger building to the Home, located at 144 Island (Weston) Street. The house was renamed St. Mark's Home and Hospital. Over the next 15 years, more than 2,500 people were admitted to the hospital. However, it was soon evident that the hospital would need to expand to care for the increasing population in Grand Rapids.
Industrialist Richard E. Butterworth, a member of St. Mark's, recognized the need for expansion. In 1887, he offered a site on the corner of Michigan Street and Bostwick Avenue for a new hospital. Although he did not live to see the development of the new facility, he bequest an additional $30,000 to the Home and Hospital to ensure its completion. On April 26, 1890, the hospital opened its doors. In 1894, the hospital was renamed Butterworth Hospital in honor of its benefactor.
Richard Butterworth left the hospital a legacy of caring and compassion that was continued by his descendants. Butterworth's grandson, Edward Lowe, and his wife, Susan (a Blodgett, the family that created Blodgett Memorial Hospital) served on the administrative board and made numerous contributions, culminating in the gift of a new modern hospital in the 1920s.
** Achievements **
* 1925: The 220-bed facility on the present campus is opened.
* 1953: Bed capacity is increased to 425.
* 1967: The Butterworth Original Art Collection is established.
* 1971: Grand Rapids Medical Education Center, Inc. (GRAMEC) is formed with
the state's medical schools, Blodgett and Saint Mary's hospitals.
* 1974: North Tower is completed; bed capacity is increased to 529.
* 1977: A residency in Emergency Medicine is established.
* 1987: Health Connections, an educational resource center, is opened. Aero
Med, an air transport service, is introduced to West Michigan.
* 1989: Good Neighbors program is founded to offer yard work and house repair
services to Butterworth neighbors.
* 1990: Surgical Residency Program for Physician Assistants is started with
Western Michigan University.
* 1991: Butterworth becomes the only smoke-free hospital in West Michigan.
* 1993: The 10-story Helen DeVos Women and Children's Center is opened.
** Clinical Achievements **
* 1919: Intern program is established.
* 1938: Eighth hospital in the U.S. to obtain a deep radiation therapy unit.
* 1952: First hospital in West Michigan to own a defibrillator.
* 1956: Cobalt therapy is introduced to West Michigan for the treatment of
cancer.
* 1958: Cardiac catheterization lab is opened.
* 1959: First hospital in the country to offer outpatient surgery. Heart
surgery program is established.
* 1970: Cobalt therapy unit is replaced with a linear accelerator, the first
in the state.
* 1973: First neonatal unit in West Michigan is established.
* 1976: Full accreditation as a Continuing Medical Education Center is
received.
* 1977: Emergency medicine residency is established.
* 1982: First hyperbaric oxygen chamber in Grand Rapids is opened.
* 1985: Designated by the state as service area's only Level 3 Neonatal
Referral Center.
* 1990: The first laser center in West Michigan and the West Michigan Stone
Center are opened.
* 1991: The American College of Surgeons verifies Level 1 Trauma Center.
* 1993: Formalized as a tertiary referral center for 13 counties in
cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, high-risk obstetrics, microsurgery,
neonatology, oncology and trauma.
