By Worcester P. Bong

National Hospital Day was first declared by President Warren G. Harding in 1921 as a way to rebuild American trust in hospitals following the Spanish flu pandemic that claimed more than 675,000 American lives. Celebrated on May 12th (the birthday of famed nurse Florence Nightingale, who helped establish hospital standards during the 1854 Crimean War), it was intended as a day for hospitals to educate the public about medical care.
 

On May 9, 1921, Prescott Mayor Morris Goldwater designated National Hospital Day as a legal holiday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. so that town businesses could observe visiting time at Whipple Barracks. During this period, the United States Public Health Service oversaw the hospital functions of Whipple Barracks, Hospital Number 50. The May 10th Prescott Evening Courier published Mayor Goldwater’s proclamation on the front page.
 

The following day’s edition outlined the programs planned for May 12th at Whipple Barracks, under the headline “Hospital Day is Holiday Here; Prescott Ready”.  Hospital wards, the mess hall, kitchen, Red Cross House, Reconstruction Services (now the Rehabilitation Medicine and Occupational Therapy), laboratory and administration buildings would be open.
 

The May 12th Prescott Evening Courier featured a special seven-page section devoted to Whipple Barracks in honor of Hospital Day. Articles included the history of Whipple Barracks, vocational training, occupational therapy, the work of the American Red Cross, modern dental equipment, a listing of the hospital personnel, the type of meals provided to patients, and even a listing of patients under treatment at the hospital (current patient privacy rights would preclude such a listing).
 

In the following years, Hospital Day events included a baseball game, boxing matches, and band concerts, with the hospital open through 7 p.m. so visitors could drive through the grounds and see it at night.
 

A quote in the May 11, 1923 edition of the Prescott Evening Courier by Colonel Gail D. Allee, Veterans Bureau Hospital Director, noted “Whipple is the second largest tuberculosis hospital of the United States public health service, and it likely soon will be the largest” when he spoke at that morning’s Rotary Club meeting. The Rotarians even decreed a fine of $1.00 at the next meeting for any member who did not visit the Hospital Day events.
 

Observances of Hospital Day grew over the years in the United States and Canada, as well as in many foreign countries. In 1925, it was estimated more than 2 million people visited hospitals in the United States and Canada on May 12th.
 

In 1931, Hospital Day was quietly observed at Whipple; an open house was held and visitors were welcomed to inspect the wards and acquaint themselves with the activities of one of the largest VA hospitals in the United States.
 

The May 12th observance was expanded to a week-long event in 1953 so that hospitals could  plan and implement more extensive public information programs. National Hospital Week is currently sponsored by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and is celebrated from Sunday thru Saturday of the week of May 12th.

In Prescott, the Bob Stump VA Medical Center celebrates National Nurses Week, which occurs between May 6th and May 12th.
 

Also observed at all VA medical facilities is “National Salute to Veteran Patients”, the week of February 14th each year, which is an opportunity to say “thank you” to over nine million veterans of the U.S. armed services who get care every year at a VA healthcare facility.
 

According to the VA, the purpose of this week-long celebration of veterans is to pay tribute and express appreciation, increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center, and encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and become involved as volunteers.

“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also available at https://www.sharlot.org/articles/days-past-articles.l. The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org. Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-445-3122 Ext. 2, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.