Bethesda Hospital

Identifier

DBB-BUS-00467

Name

Bethesda Hospital

Type

Business

Activity

hospital

Year Established

1931

Description

Bethesda Hospital was a private hospital established in August 1931 by Dr. Alfred E. Thomas Sr. It was located at 544 Garfield Ave East. In its early years, it primarily treated tuberculosis patients. The Thomas family established a second hospital next door in 1937, called the Edyth K. Thomas Memorial Hospital. See the 1938 Bethesda Hospital and Edyth K. Thomas Memorial Hospital pamphlet for background and full staff listing of both hospitals. Dr. Alf E. Thomas Sr. was the President, Mrs. L. F. Thomas was the Treasurer. Dr. Joe T. Thomas Jr., Dr. Alf E. Thomas Jr., and Mr. Samuel H. Thomas were also officers.

Transcription from the inside front cover of the 1938 pamphlet:

"The Largest Privately Owned Negro Hospital in the U.S.

Edyth K. Thomas Memorial Hospital and its sister institution, Bethesda Hospital, being both under one ownership, constitute one of the largest privately owned Negro businesses in America. These hospitals distribute many thousands of dollars annually to their ninety-two employees and to the various Negro business houses which supply them with food products, fuel, linen supply service, and other commodities. Edyth K. Thomas Memorial Hospital and Bethesda Hospital are assets to the Race in Detroit economically as well as scientifically."

Location

544 Garfield Ave

Affiliates

Babb, C. Brindley
Role: Staff

Bell, Robert B.
Role: Staff

Bennett, Robert C.
Role: Staff

Brooks, C. W.
Role: Staff

Burnstine, Perry
Role: Staff

Burton, D. T.
Role: Staff

Carter, E. A.
Role: Staff

Collins, James W.
Role: Staff

DeLoney, Julian
Role: Staff