In 1966, the 186-bed Loma Linda Sanitarium and Hospital on the hill (now known as Nichol Hall) had an eight-bed pediatric unit, four pediatricians, and one pediatric resident. In 1967, following the consolidation of the School of Medicine in Loma Linda, a new, fifteen-bed pediatric unit opened on the fifth floor of the new Loma Linda University Hospital.
In 1975, John Mace, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine, began recruiting a full spectrum of pediatric specialists and subspecialists to provide the comprehensive care characteristic of a children’s hospital. In the meantime, the population of the Inland Empire expanded so fast that the need for children’s services expanded enormously. As the pediatrician staff and capabilities increased, so did the numbers of pediatric patients.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, future dean of the School of Medicine and future president of Loma Linda University, was intimately involved with this growth. According to Dr. Mace, “she always was fiscally sound, so well organized, extremely competent, easy-to-work-with person.” The department’s goal was to add a new subspecialty every year, if possible. These included neonatology (which grew rapidly), hematology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonary, nephrology, genetics, allergy/immunology, infectious disease, and oncology. As soon as new faculty arrived they immediately became busy. Other physicians were recruited just to help keep up with the demand. The dream of someday building a dedicated children’s hospital began in August, 1976. In the late 1970s, the Medical Center added an eight-bed pediatric intensive care unit. By about 1982, pediatric beds numbered 75; already the size of some children’s hospitals.
Over the years funding for the health of our nation’s children has continued to decline. Facing the need for a dramatic improvement in children’s health, both locally and nationally, Loma Linda University Medical Center’s administration, under the leadership of David B. Hinshaw, Sr., MD, focused on increasing its commitment to children. According to an official statement of purpose, “Loma Linda decided to devote the full spectrum of its institutional resources toward the establishment of a children’s hospital and to become an international advocate for children’s healthcare.” According to Dr. Mace a pediatric urologist was instrumental in the planning of the new facility. J. David Moorhead, MD, a member of the Class of 1973-B and future president of the Medical Center, was a great help in establishing the new Children’s Hospital. “He was high energy and indefatigable in his efforts. He deserves much credit.” While the Children’s Hospital was under construction, Dr. Hinshaw arranged for the new structure to add a fifth floor.
Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital is the only one of its kind serving 1.3 million children living in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, and Mono counties; more than one-fourth of the California land mass. Licensed by the American College of Surgeons as the only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, it transports more than 1,500 critically ill or injured children from surrounding hospitals each year.
On December 19, 1988, during grand opening ceremonies for the South Wing (Phase One), Medical Center President David B. Hinshaw, Sr., MD, formally announced plans for a new 220-bed children’s hospital. “We are staking a claim as a children’s hospital. We are a children’s hospital from this day forward.”