UHS History

University Health Services (UHS) was one of the nation’s first student health centers and the first to open a student infirmary.

1868	The University of California is created by state act, replacing the College of California; the Berkeley campus opens the next year.
1906	The University of California Board of Regents, with a $2,400 gift from Prytanean, a women's service organization, allocates funds to equip a 20-bed infirmary, that becomes the Student Health Service. George F. Reinhardt, M.D., named first University Physician and director of the health service.
1911	Alumnus Ernest V. Cowell bequeaths $250,000 to the University to build a campus hospital.
1914	Robert T. Legge, M.D., named second director of the health service.
1924	Infirmary becomes first campus hospital to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons, the precursor to the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO); JCAHO accreditation continued until the closure of the Inpatient Unit in 1990.
1930	The Ernest J. Cowell Memorial Hospital opens with 70 beds.
1935	A large-scale influenza epidemic forces use of all available space at Cowell.
1938	Wm. Goodricke Donald, M.D., named third director of the health service.
1943	Cowell Hospital successfully grows and purifies its own penicillin to combat a campus scarlet fever epidemic.
1947	A Division of Psychological Medicine established on campus.
1955	Cowell Hospital earned the distinction of being the first student hospital accredited by the American Medical Association.
1958	Margaret Zeff, M.D., named acting director of the health service.
1959	Henry R. Bruyn, M.D., named fourth director of the health service
1960	A new wing is added to Cowell Hospital thanks to a $1.5 million gift from the Cowell Foundation, increasing the number of inpatient beds to 120 and making room for a surgical suite, a Psychiatry Clinic, and Environmental, Health and Safety.
1973	James R. Brown, M.D., named fifth director of the health service.
1982	Occupational Health Clinic opens.
1985	The health service receives first state grant to develop a model for campus HIV education.
1987	Graduate students approve a new fee for the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan, making comprehensive and affordable coverage available to all graduate students at a time when health care costs nationally are spiraling out of control.
	CARE Services, the employee assistance program, established.
1989	The Student Health Service becomes University Health Services (UHS).
1990	Berkeley becomes the first UC campus to mandate undergraduate health insurance when undergraduates overwhelmingly approve a referendum on group major medical health insurance coverage for students.
	Inpatient Unit closes.
	Health*Matters, the workplace wellness program, established.
	Catherine B. Tassan, M.P.H., named sixth director of UHS.
1991	Counseling Center merges with the Psychiatry Unit to become Counseling and Psychological Services. With the addition of CPS, medical and counseling services for students, faculty and staff are now located in one building.
	UHS receives first accreditation from Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
1992	Dental Unit closes.
	The Tang Foundation of San Francisco pledges $5 million toward the campaign for a new health service building; an additional $2.5 million raised through donations from numerous other foundations, donors and friends of the health service.
1993	UHS moves from Cowell Hospital to the new Tang Center on Bancroft Way.
1994	Workers Compensation/Vocational Rehabilitation joins the health service.
1995	Sports Medicine Program formed.
	Steve Lustig, M.A., named seventh director of UHS.
1997	Designed by Anshen + Allen Design Firm, the Tang Center is recognized by the Institute of Architects for excellence in design.
1999	Student enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), a major medical insurance plan administered by UHS, reaches 90% for graduate students and nearly 70% for undergraduates.
	Ergonomics and Elder Care Programs formed.
2000	UHS is recognized by the California Medical Association for the best Continuing Medical Education Program in the state from among 600 hospitals and organizations.
2003	University Health Services celebrates 10 years at the Tang Center
2005	Students vote in a universal health fee to stabilize and increase services at UHS.
2006	The health service celebrates 100 years.
	Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health established.
	Campus health and safety programs expand with funding from UC Risk Services' Be Smart About Safety program.
	Formation of Health and Human Services cluster.
2007	Claudia Covello named eighth director of UHS.
	UHS launches Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
	UC Registration Fee increased to provide more student mental health services.

 

 

Back to About UHS