1901, 1923 The first hospitals associated with the University of Missouri-Columbia were Parker Memorial Hospital, which opened around 1901, and Noyes Hospital, which opened in 1923. The bed capacity of the two hospitals totaled 120.

1952 The 66th General Assembly voted for the four-year medical school in Columbia and appropriated $13.6 million for construction of a new hospital.

1953 Construction on the hospital building complex began. The seven-floor structure was designed as a 441-bed outpatient and emergency care facility.

September 16, 1956 University Hospital opens as patients from Noyes and Parker are transported to the new facility. A total of 49 patients are transported.

September 16, 1956 First surgery performed at University Hospital.

September 17, 1956 First baby born at University Hospital.

November 10, 1956 Dedication of University Hospital.

1957 First 21 medical students receive four-year medical degrees from University of Missouri.

January 24, 1958 First open-heart surgery in the area performed at University Hospital.

1959 The first pacemaker is implanted at University Hospital.

1960 The first ventricular aneurysm is resected at University Hospital.

1962 A giant coronary artery aneurysm is successfully resected for the first time in the world at University Hospital.

1964 The first prosthetic heart valve is implanted at University Hospital.

November 6, 1966 Dedication of addition to research wing of Medical Sciences Building.

1967 Construction begins on the 480-bed veterans’ hospital located next to University Hospital.

June 1968 Ambulance service begins.

March 28, 1969 First physical medicine and rehabilitation patients moved to McHaney Hall, a precursor to Rusk Rehabilitation Center.

March 1969 Nutrition and Food Services begins centralized tray service.

October 12, 1969 Dedication of Clinical Research Center and Teaching Laboratory additions. A seven-story addition to the University Medical Center provided extra beds and medical student offices.

1970 The first coronary artery bypass procedure is performed.

February 1972 First kidney transplant procedure in the area performed at University Hospital.

1973 Children’s Hospital transport service begins.

February 6, 1977 George David Peak Memorial Burn Care Center dedicated.

December 11, 1981 University Hospital designated as the Level 1 Trauma Center for central Missouri.

September 30, 1982 Mason Eye Institute dedicated.

November 24, 1982 Helicopter service begins.

November 10, 1983 Cosmopolitan International Diabetes Center dedicated.

1985 First Children’s Miracle Network telethon broadcast.

April 26, 1986 “Access ’86” completed, adding approximately 240,000 square feet of
space to the hospital including lobby concourse, SameDay Surgery, admissions and parking structure.

1986 The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit opens. The PICU was the only one of its kind in mid-Missouri.

February 1987 Medical Practice Income Plan renamed University Physicians.

November 1987 First cochlear implant at University Hospital performed.

1988 The Helicopter service begins using a twin-engine BK117 helicopter, which provides more room for patients and equipment.

February 1989 Opening of Women’s Health Center.

April 1989 Main Street Café opened.

June 23, 1989 First heart transplant procedure performed in the area.

December 1989 First Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedure performed.

February 12, 1990 First hyperbaric oxygen treatment in Jefferson Davis Hyperbaric Medicine Center.

July 1990 New Endoscopy Center opens.

November 1, 1990 Ellis Fischel Cancer Center merges with University Hospital and Clinics.

March 1991 First surgery in newly renovated operating suite performed.

July 1, 1991 Rusk Rehabilitation Center designated as separate hospital (operated in partnership with HealthSouth Corporation).

1993 Children’s Hospital designated as a hospital within a hospital.

1994 First quadruplets born in Columbia are delivered at University Hospital.

1995 Missouri Telehealth Network is established.

1995 Missouri Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon, Mo., joins University of Missouri Health Care.

1996 An angioplasty is performed on a 13-ounce infant with a heart the size of a peanut M&M.

April 19, 1996 Dedication of University Physicians Medical Building.

1997 Capital Region Medical Center affiliates with University of Missouri Health Care.

1999 The Critical Care Tower is dedicated. It is home to surgical, cardiac, medical,
neurosurgical and neonatal intensive care units.

1999 Columbia Regional Hospital merges with University Hospital, Children’s Hospital
and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center to form University of Missouri Health Care.

February 27, 2002 The new Emergency Center opens at University Hospital.

2003 MU Sinclair School of Nursing launches an accelerated nursing program in conjunction with the health system.

May 25, 2005 Dedication of Pascale’s Pals Park, an outdoor playground for Children’s Hospital patients.

2006 University Hospital celebrates 50th anniversary.