School of Medicine 125th Anniversary | Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, Maryland

Since the late 19th century, our community of physicians, researchers, alumni and students has helped us build a premier learning institution that rewards hard work, inquiry and collaboration. After 125 years, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine continues to set the standard of excellence in patient care, research and education in the United States and beyond. #HopkinsMed125

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Experience 125

1900s Johns Hopkins Billings Building — Then: The Johns Hopkins Billings Administration Building The Johns Hopkins Billings building in the early 1900s. It served as a residence to doctors in training until the 1950s. As a result, those trainees came to be referred to as residents.

Now: The Johns Hopkins Billings Administration Building Today, the Billings building houses administrative offices.

Johns Hopkins first medical school class 1897 — Then: Graduation The first medical school class graduated in 1897.

Now: Graduation The graduating class of 2017 was vastly more diverse than the first — both in terms of gender and ethnicity. Among the graduates was Nancy Abu-Bonsrah, the first black female resident in neurosurgery.

Then: Leadership William H. Welch, the first dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, also became the founding dean of the United States’ first school of public health, which today is called the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Now: Leadership Paul B. Rothman, M.D. now serves as dean of the medical faculty and vice president for medicine at The Johns Hopkins University and chief executive officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Then: Female Faculty A graduate of the school of medicine, Florence Sabin was the first woman appointed full professor in the school of medicine, in 1917. A bronze statue of Sabin stands in the U.S. Capitol, honoring her many contributions to anatomy and histology.

Now: Female Faculty Today, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has more than 250 tenured female faculty members, including one of the most recently named professors: Akila Viswanathan, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., professor of radiation oncology and molecular radiation sciences.

Johns Hopkins chemistry lab 1910 — Then: Research Students in chemistry lab, 1910

null — Now: Research The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is now home to more than 160 basic science labs alone. More than 1,500 faculty members within the school of medicine have federal funding to support their basic, translational or clinical trials research.

Benjamin Carson and surgical team — Then: Surgical Practice and Training Using small mannequins, pediatric neurogureon Benjamin Carson and his surgical team rehearse for a 2006 operation to separate siamese twins joined at the head.

Pediatric resident training session at The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center — Now: Surgical Practice and Training The large single-patient rooms in The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center building allow enough space for pediatric residents to hold training sessions.

Hurd Hall in the 1950s — Then: Hurd Hall Grand rounds in the 1950s took place in Hurd Hall, named after Henry Mills Hurd, professor of psychiatry and the first director of The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Hurd Hall in 2017 — Now: Hurd Hall Hurd Hall is still a common venue for many of the school’s featured events, including the medical students’ white coat ceremonies.

Then: Pediatrician-in-Chief As pediatrician-in-chief at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Edwards Park, M.D., pioneered a holistic approach to the medical care of children, combining it with intense research, training and community outreach.

Tina Chen, M.D., M.P.H. — Now: Pediatrician-in-Chief Tina Cheng, M.D., M.P.H., was named director of pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2016. Prior to that appointment, Cheng was recognized for developing community-integrated models of primary care to address the needs of vulnerable children, adolescents and families.

Johns Hopkins physical chemisty lecture, 1903 — Then: Classroom Instruction Physical chemistry lecture in 1903

Johns Hopkins bedside teaching early 1900s — Then: Bedside Teaching Bedside teaching is one of the cornerstones of academic medicine, a concept that was pioneered by Hopkins’ own Sir William Osler, one of the four founding professors of The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

William Halsted's All-Star Surgery in 1901 — Then: Landmark Surgery In 1901, surgeon-in-chief William Halsted, an early champion of the newly discovered antiseptic techniques, invited senior members of his surgical staff to participate in an “all-star operation” as a dedication of the newly erected building bearing his name.

Johns Hopkins landmark first bilateral arm transplant — Now: Landmark Surgery A surgical team led by Johns Hopkins doctors W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Jaimie Shores, M.D., and Gerald Brandacher, M.D., performed The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s first bilateral arm transplant, together with an innovative treatment to prevent rejection of the new limbs.

Female Faculty Timeline

From leading the way to modern heart surgery to discovering groundbreaking treatments for lupus and arthritis, our female professors have been delivering on the promise of medicine since 1917. See our tribute to the achievements of those more than 250 women.

Johns Hopkins Medicine Timeline

Since the late 19th century, the Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine have continued to set the standard for patient care, medical evaluation and research. See our interactive timeline for details about our historical highlights, milestones and discoveries.

Make a Gift

Celebrating 125 years of excellence in science, discovery and clinical care is only possible because of our strong foundation of support. Give to the School of Medicine and help us recruit exceptional students who aspire to launch high-impact careers in medicine or biomedical science, regardless of financial need.

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