It was on December 21,1995, that the boards of the former Barnes Hospital and The Jewish Hospital of St. Louis announced their plans to merge the hospitals into a single institution—Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Each hospital brought a rich tradition of excellence. Jewish Hospital opened in 1902 to care for St. Louis' growing immigrant population. Barnes Hospital opened in 1914 and became one of the first medical teaching centers in theUnited States.

The merger became final on January 31, 1996, and the fundraising programs of both hospitals combined to form Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Even through the complexities of merging two major health care facilities, 1996 was a triumphant year for the Foundation. Donors increased their support in some areas of the hospital, and the Foundation finished the year five percent over the year's goal. Under the leadership of board co-chairs John P. Dubinsky and Andrew B. Craig III , the Foundation raised more than $8.5 million that first year.

Over the last ten years, donors have kept up the momentum – averaging $14.3 million in annual support. More than $143 million has been raised since 1996, and the Foundation distributed $151 million to various areas of Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Foundation donors have created more than 800 funds and endowed 19 chairs.

“Since the first year, the Foundation has made a difference in the lives of patients, physicians and other medical personnel and the community,” says Andrew Ziskind, MD, Barnes-Jewish Hospital president. “We are extremely grateful to all of our donors - corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals - who have helped to catapult the hospital to one of the top 10 in the nation. It is through their support that the hospital has a rich past and an even more promising future.”

Contributions to Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation 

Total by Year

1996    $8,509,560
1997    $9,795,914
1998    $10,701,394

1999    $14,772,377

2000    $16,118,000

2001    $20,724,000

2002    $19,477,000

2003    $9,860,000

2004    $11,712,087

2005    $21,426,740

Distribution of Donor Funds

Total by Year

1997    $9,395,000

1998    $23,361,000

1999    $26,664,000

2000    $39,300,000

2001    $23,277,000

2002    $10,498,000

2003    $7,742,000

2004    $11,190,000

2005    $15,417,252

Total Given to Areas (1997 -2005)

Research                                  $67,353,893

Patient Care                             $20,667,740

Equipment                                $19,296,176

Community Programs               $16,017,132

Education                                 $5,633,311

Buildings                                   $30,076,000

Multiple Purpose                      $5,957,000

From the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation’s CORNERSTONES Magazine Spring 2006