1930
The University of Colorado School of
Medicine establishes the Department
of Pediatrics. Franklin Gengenbach, MD,
serves as chair of the Department while
continuing his private pediatric practice.
Historical Timeline
The achievements and advances depicted in this timeline reflect the enduring partnerships the Department of Pediatrics has enjoyed with Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, National Jewish Health and the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.
The information below was taken from the book Department of Pediatrics, A History: 1930–2018.
1930-1949
1939
Regional outreach begins, as physicians on staff
at The Children’s Hospital travel to Wyoming for a
series of talks on the care of premature babies.
1941
The World War II effort forges stronger care
partnerships in Colorado. Department residents
support The Children’s Hospital staff, given the
physician shortage. The main hospital facility at
Fitzsimons Army Medical Center is completed
to provide care for military families.
1943
Franklin Gengenbach is elected
president of the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
1944
Colorado families gain a powerful health advocate
when Florence Sabin, MD, retires from Rockefeller
Institute of Medical Research and returns to Colorado.
A School of Medicine faculty member, her vision and
voice revolutionize the state’s public health system and
greatly expand the role of Department partner Denver
Health. Sabin would also serve on The Children’s
Hospital board of directors.
1946
Pediatric oncology is
advanced in the region
as The Children’s
Hospital treats its first
patient with lymphatic
leukemia.
1947
The Premature Infant Teaching
Unit opens with Lula Lubchenco,
MD, named pediatrician for the
Premature Project.
1947
Harry Gordon, MD, is named first
full-time Department chair.
1949
The United States records its
last natural smallpox outbreak.
When the World Health Assembly
declares the disease eradicated
in 1980, Vincent Fulginiti, MD,
(left) and C. Henry Kempe, MD,
are among those recognized.
1950-1959
1930
The University of Colorado School of Medicine establishes the Department of Pediatrics. Franklin Gengenbach, MD, serves as chair of the Department while continuing his private pediatric practice.
1939
Regional outreach begins, as physicians on staff at The Children’s Hospital travel to Wyoming for a series of talks on the care of premature babies.
1941
The World War II effort forges stronger care partnerships in Colorado. Department residents support The Children’s Hospital staff, given the physician shortage. The main hospital facility at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center is completed to provide care for military families.
1943
Franklin Gengenbach is elected president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
1944
Colorado families gain a powerful health advocate when Florence Sabin, MD, retires from Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research and returns to Colorado. A School of Medicine faculty member, her vision and voice revolutionize the state’s public health system and greatly expand the role of Department partner Denver Health. Sabin would also serve on The Children’s Hospital board of directors.
1946
Pediatric oncology is advanced in the region as The Children’s Hospital treats its first patient with lymphatic leukemia.
1947
The Premature Infant Teaching Unit opens with Lula Lubchenco, MD, named pediatrician for the Premature Project.
1947
Harry Gordon, MD, is named first full-time Department chair.
1949
The United States records its last natural smallpox outbreak. When the World Health Assembly declares the disease eradicated in 1980, Vincent Fulginiti, MD, (left) and C. Henry Kempe, MD, are among those recognized.
1960-1965
1930
The University of Colorado School of Medicine establishes the Department of Pediatrics. Franklin Gengenbach, MD, serves as chair of the Department while continuing his private pediatric practice.
1939
Regional outreach begins, as physicians on staff at The Children’s Hospital travel to Wyoming for a series of talks on the care of premature babies.
1941
The World War II effort forges stronger care partnerships in Colorado. Department residents support The Children’s Hospital staff, given the physician shortage. The main hospital facility at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center is completed to provide care for military families.
1943
Franklin Gengenbach is elected president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
1944
Colorado families gain a powerful health advocate when Florence Sabin, MD, retires from Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research and returns to Colorado. A School of Medicine faculty member, her vision and voice revolutionize the state’s public health system and greatly expand the role of Department partner Denver Health. Sabin would also serve on The Children’s Hospital board of directors.
1946
Pediatric oncology is advanced in the region as The Children’s Hospital treats its first patient with lymphatic leukemia.
1947
The Premature Infant Teaching Unit opens with Lula Lubchenco, MD, named pediatrician for the Premature Project.
1947
Harry Gordon, MD, is named first full-time Department chair.
1949
The United States records its last natural smallpox outbreak. When the World Health Assembly declares the disease eradicated in 1980, Vincent Fulginiti, MD, (left) and C. Henry Kempe, MD, are among those recognized.
1966-1969
1930
The University of Colorado School of Medicine establishes the Department of Pediatrics. Franklin Gengenbach, MD, serves as chair of the Department while continuing his private pediatric practice.
1939
Regional outreach begins, as physicians on staff at The Children’s Hospital travel to Wyoming for a series of talks on the care of premature babies.
1941
The World War II effort forges stronger care partnerships in Colorado. Department residents support The Children’s Hospital staff, given the physician shortage. The main hospital facility at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center is completed to provide care for military families.
1943
Franklin Gengenbach is elected president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
1944
Colorado families gain a powerful health advocate when Florence Sabin, MD, retires from Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research and returns to Colorado. A School of Medicine faculty member, her vision and voice revolutionize the state’s public health system and greatly expand the role of Department partner Denver Health. Sabin would also serve on The Children’s Hospital board of directors.
1946
Pediatric oncology is advanced in the region as The Children’s Hospital treats its first patient with lymphatic leukemia.
1947
The Premature Infant Teaching Unit opens with Lula Lubchenco, MD, named pediatrician for the Premature Project.
1947
Harry Gordon, MD, is named first full-time Department chair.
1949
The United States records its last natural smallpox outbreak. When the World Health Assembly declares the disease eradicated in 1980, Vincent Fulginiti, MD, (left) and C. Henry Kempe, MD, are among those recognized.
1970-1979
1930
The University of Colorado School of Medicine establishes the Department of Pediatrics. Franklin Gengenbach, MD, serves as chair of the Department while continuing his private pediatric practice.
1939
Regional outreach begins, as physicians on staff at The Children’s Hospital travel to Wyoming for a series of talks on the care of premature babies.
1941
The World War II effort forges stronger care partnerships in Colorado. Department residents support The Children’s Hospital staff, given the physician shortage. The main hospital facility at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center is completed to provide care for military families.
1943
Franklin Gengenbach is elected president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
1944
Colorado families gain a powerful health advocate when Florence Sabin, MD, retires from Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research and returns to Colorado. A School of Medicine faculty member, her vision and voice revolutionize the state’s public health system and greatly expand the role of Department partner Denver Health. Sabin would also serve on The Children’s Hospital board of directors.
1946
Pediatric oncology is advanced in the region as The Children’s Hospital treats its first patient with lymphatic leukemia.
1947
The Premature Infant Teaching Unit opens with Lula Lubchenco, MD, named pediatrician for the Premature Project.
1947
Harry Gordon, MD, is named first full-time Department chair.
1949
The United States records its last natural smallpox outbreak. When the World Health Assembly declares the disease eradicated in 1980, Vincent Fulginiti, MD, (left) and C. Henry Kempe, MD, are among those recognized.