side of Chicago.This racially exclusionary policies of Chicago nursing schools had impelled Daniel Hale Williams,a prominent African American surgeon to find the institution.During the early years the hospital reflected its founders vision of an interracial enterprise.By 1915,Provident had become a predominantly African American institution.It was renown as a medical center,graduating 118 women from twenty-four states through its nursing program.In 1929,Provident became the site of pioneering experiment in African American medical education and hospital reform when it affiliated with the University of Chicago.That ended in 1944.Financial problems were an issue from the beginning,mainly due to the poverty of most of its patients and Provident struggled to survive as a business.In August 1982,it moved into a new modern facility which did not reverse the debt,and it closed September 1987.
The interest in reopening Provident Hospital remained a priority for many.
Community groups and other tried to raise both funding and political support
to reopen the hospital.These efforts were not successful.The venerable interest of Cook County Board of Commissioners to buy the hospital in 1991.This matched up with the County's Bureau of Health Service's plan to improve medical service to residents living on the south side of Chicago.After a sizable investment
in upgrading the physical plant,the Bureau reopened Provident Hospital in August 1993.
The hospital's traditional medical education role was reestablished in 1994
through and educational relationship with Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine.While no longer considered an African American-run hospital,Provident continues to serve the health needs of the community,including a variety of health outreach efforts.
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