Welcome to Ladies Hospital
For more than 150 years Damas Hospital has become an institution of tertiary level that has distinguished itself by the excellence and quality of its medical services, and by having a prestigious school of medicine. In addition to the primary services that you can find in our Service Section, we have a certified all our patient’s needs.
Our experience sets us apart.
History
Since our beginnings, our institution has revolutionized the health industry in Puerto Rico for its service and free care. At first it had only 14 beds for needy patients. Over time, and with much regret the founders and their followers, established a minimum fee to ensure the economic stability of the hospital.
The presence of the hospital in the community was stable despite challenges, as it was Hurricane San Ciriaco in 1899. Decade after decade, Damas provided the help that the people needed.
Our records shows how Damas Hospital’s efforts helped maintain the institution’s quality. For example, in 1909 the daughters of the Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, joined the hospital to provide services in the area of direct care to the patient as well as in the area of administration. It also records the acquisition and installation of novel equipment for their time - such as X rays equipment (discovered in 1895) and technology for early 20th century surgery.
Keeping to its mission, in 1927 opened a haven for orphan children connected to the hospital. Later it was called the Ferran institution and welcomed children in need up until 1970. In fact, children have always been our focus of attention at the hospital, in 1933 we built-in a room for children hospitalization.
In 1923, we established a school of nursing, which was reorganized in 1937 to strengthen to fulfill the needs of the region, it was developed within the hospital. In addition, as part of its commitment, the hospital welcomed cadets program nurses of the armed forces of United States during the second world war. These cadets were in the nursing school of Damas Hospital, they offered their services where they were needed. The school served the community for 45 years, until its closure in 1968.
Damas Hospital continued to grow thanks to service agreements with insurance from the State Fund for workers; and the collection of services to patients who could pay, allowing to cater to those who had no resources. In 1944, the hospital had the recognition of the College of Surgeons of the United States.
In the early 1950’s we started educational programs for internal physicians, as well as residencies in specialties like anesthesiology and surgery. This educational component enriched the quality of our health services.
On May 1973 Damas Hospital inaugurated its current building. With room for 356 beds at that time, it meant a big leap in quality of care and number of services available for the community. This building served as a spearhead to offer new options to the southern region. For example, in 1977 was established the innovative care program at home (Home Care). That same year we signed an agreement with the school of Medicine of the University of Ponce that students must practice medicine in Damas Hospital.
In 1999 the hospital kept innovating, with the use of computed tomography (CT) and the most advanced radiotherapy for cancer patients.
In the 21st century, Damas Hospital continues to grow and innovate, with multiple specialties and clinics, excellent professionals, same commitment, the best practice of medicine and the finest care.
Certifications
Acreditations
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FDA & CLIA - Laboratory
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AABB - American Association of Blood Bank
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Department of Health (Hospital and Home Care)
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Department of Health - Division Medicare (Hospital and Home Care)
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Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Nuclear Medicine
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The Joint Commission - for Hospital and health services home program (Home Care)
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College of American Pathologists - Laboratory, Pathology and Blood Bank
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Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - ACGME - Medical Education Program
Messages
Message from the Board of Directors
It’s priority for Damas Hospital’s Board of Directors to ensure that the institution remains faithful to its spirit of service and innovation that inspired its foundation in 1863. We see in this website an extension of that vision. A hospital with the most advanced technology in the practice of medicine and committed to the health of our people.
We hope that the information available serves for a healthier community.
Good health to everybody, Mariano McConnie Ángel, President Board of Directors, DamasHospital, Inc.
Message from our Administrator
Welcome to our new website!
In our continuing effort to improve our service to the patient, we have designed this portal to educate and guide our community on the resources available in Damas Hospital. What a better time to release it, that in the celebration of our 150th anniversary. We are excited that our fellow citizen have now a tool that can help take care of their health. Know this, as we have done in the past, Damas Hospital will continue to innovate and provide the best care to our community that we have grown with.
Always at your service, Edwin Sueiro Berrios, MHSA Administrator of Damas Hospital, Inc.
Message from the Chief Medical Officer
A greeting to all the readers of our new website. We are extremely proud with the development of the same, which marks the celebration of our 150th anniversary of our hospital.
During these 150 years Damas Hospital has become an institution of tertiary level that has distinguished itself by the excellence and quality of medical services and by having a prestigious medical school. In addition to the primary services such as Pediatrics, General Surgery, GYN and Internal Medicine, Damas Hospital also offers specialized such as cardiology invasive and Interventional, cardiovascular surgery and Endovascular Services, Orthopedics, ENT, Pneumology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Hematology-Oncology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pathology, Clinical Laboratory and Blood Bank. We have a duly certified Sleep, Nuclear Medicine Services Laboratory, Imaging Services with a new CT Scan of high resolution and low radioactive exposure.
Damas Hospital has also a multidisciplinary intensive care unit, coronary intensive surgical unit, intensive neonatal and pediatric intensive unit, 12 operating rooms, including its Ambulatory Surgery Center (Surgicenter), a unit of nursing care "Skilled Nursing Facility" and health services at home ("Damas Home Care"), emergency room with emergency technicians present 24/7... Finally, all the services necessary to offer and guarantee that our patients will receive the highest quality service.
Last, but not least, Damas Hospital also has a department of education in medical post graduate that sponsors programs of transitional residency and residency in internal medicine. Both programs, as well as the institution, are accredited nationally by the "Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)". Similarly, this Department is affiliated with the school of medicine and Health Sciences of Ponce and co-hosts its psychology program, the only program in Puerto Rico offering psychology services to hospitalized patients. It’s truly an honor for this server in the position of Medical Director to participate in the celebration of its first 150 years. I hope that you can visit our website frequently and learn about the latest advances in medicine and services that will continue to develop. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at the following e-mail address: pbenitez@hospitaldamas.com.
Pedro L. Benítez Lorenzo, MD, FACP, Director Medical Director, Department of Education Damas Hospital, Inc