Northwest Hospital & Medical Center

Fifty years ago, before the Space Needle, Safeco Field or high-rise condominiums were a part of Seattle’s urban landscape; Northwest Hospital opened its doors to the community. Today, the organization that started with a $181 donation has grown into a full-service institution, with a world-class medical staff and some of the most innovative, technologically-advanced medical care available.

Throughout its history, Northwest Hospital has been a healthcare pioneer, introducing techniques and procedures that have become standards of care in our region and beyond. Over the decades, patients and their families have also come to count on Northwest Hospital for the healing atmosphere of our green, tree-lined campus and for our unique commitment to treating each patient as if they were members of our own families.

2010 will be a pivotal year, as we look back and celebrate 50 years of serving our community, and as we look ahead to the future and a new era of partnership with UW Medicine.

The voices that have defined generations of care, hope and healing tell their stories of Northwest Hospital's past, present and future.

Download Our 50th Anniversary Commemorative Issue

Fun Facts from 1960...

The year Northwest Hospital & Medical Center opened was the beginning of a new decade. Many exciting events occurred during 1960 and throughout the course of the next 10 years that would shape a new generation.

Dwight Eisenhower was president of the U.S.

Cassius Clay, who would later take the name Muhammad Ali, won his first professional fight.

The Flintstones aired for the first time on television.

The Beatles made their debut in Hamburg, Germany.

John F. Kennedy defeated Vice-President and Republic candidate Richard Nixon in U.S. presidential election.

The most popular films of the year were Ben-Hur and Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

Over one 100 million television sets were in use worldwide.