Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is the flagship hospital of Penn Medicine and one of America's premier academic medical centers. Founded in 1874 as the teaching hospital for the nation's first medical school, HUP today has 789 beds and is consistently ranked among the top 15 hospitals nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital pioneered numerous medical advances including the first surgical use of fluoroscopy and early work in gene therapy. As a Level I trauma center, HUP provides the highest level of emergency and specialized care to the Philadelphia region.[1]
History
Founding (1874)
Origins:
- Teaching hospital established
- Connected to America's first medical school
- 34th and Spruce Streets
- Clinical education mission
Early Growth
Expansion:
- Surgical advances
- Specialty departments
- Research integration
- Campus development
20th Century
Modern era:
- Medical breakthroughs
- Technology adoption
- Facility expansion
- National recognition
Penn Medicine Integration
Health system:
- Penn Medicine formed
- Multi-hospital system
- Regional expansion
- Academic integration
Medical Firsts
Pioneering Achievements
Historical innovations:
- Early X-ray use in surgery
- Fluoroscopy development
- Organ transplantation advances
- Gene therapy research
Research Breakthroughs
Discoveries:
- CAR-T cell therapy
- Immunotherapy advances
- COVID-19 research
- Precision medicine
Facilities
Main Campus
Buildings:
- Silverstein Pavilion
- Ravdin Building
- Founders Building
- Research towers
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
Outpatient:
- Cancer care
- Specialty clinics
- Imaging services
- Infusion center
Emergency Department
Trauma center:
- Level I designation
- 24/7 trauma team
- Helipad access
- Critical care
Specialties
Cancer
Abramson Cancer Center:
- NCI-designated
- Comprehensive care
- Clinical trials
- Research leadership
Cardiovascular
Heart and vascular:
- Complex surgeries
- Transplantation
- Interventional cardiology
- Research advances
Neurosciences
Brain and spine:
- Neurosurgery
- Stroke center
- Epilepsy program
- Movement disorders
Transplantation
Organ transplant:
- Heart, lung, liver, kidney
- Multi-organ capability
- Research advances
- High volumes
Rankings
National Recognition
U.S. News & World Report:
- Top 15 nationally
- Multiple specialty rankings
- Honor Roll hospital
- Consistent excellence
Specialty Rankings
Top programs:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Cancer
- Ophthalmology
Education
Medical Training
Academic mission:
- Perelman School of Medicine
- Residency programs
- Fellowship training
- Continuing education
Research
Discovery:
- NIH funding leader
- Clinical trials
- Basic science
- Translational research
Penn Medicine System
Network
Affiliated hospitals:
- Pennsylvania Hospital
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
- Chester County Hospital
- Others across region
Integrated Care
System approach:
- Electronic health records
- Care coordination
- Specialty access
- Community health
See Also
References
- ↑ "Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania". Penn Medicine. Retrieved December 31, 2025