Kaiser Richmond Field Hospital, Medical heritage site in Richmond, United States.
The Kaiser Richmond Field Hospital was a large medical facility in Richmond, Virginia, built to serve workers from nearby shipyards during World War II. It expanded from 10 to 160 beds and provided emergency care, surgery, gynecology, and orthopedic services continuously.
The facility was established in 1942 and introduced prepaid health insurance plans for shipyard workers, laying groundwork for modern health maintenance organizations. This represented a major shift in how medical care was funded and organized.
The hospital treated patients without regard to race during the 1940s and offered equal professional opportunities to doctors from different backgrounds. This approach to inclusive care was notable for its time and shaped how the facility operated.
The site is now part of the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park and can be visited as part of the park. Check park hours before visiting and wear comfortable shoes for walking around the grounds.
After the war, the facility was converted into a psychiatric center, showing how wartime infrastructure was repurposed for completely different medical needs. Visitors can trace this transformation through the preserved buildings.
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