Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: FRII-04
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Introduction

The early 20th century was a marked period of growth and expansion of the health care system that was closely followed on America's biggest stage, New York City. A major milestone was the creation of the world's first academic medical center in 1928; which combined The Squier Urological Clinic, Sloan Hospital for Women, the Vanderbilt Clinic, and Presbyterian Hospital with Columbia University.

Methods

University historical archives and internet search, and personal communications of former Urology faculty.

Results

The name J. Bentley Squier is not eponymous with any signs, symptoms, procedures or technique. Perhaps his most unique attribute was his short stature and a partially amputated thumb. Squier believed in surgical expediency and efficiency, best demonstrated by his suprapubic prostatectomy (which he championed over perineal prostatectomy); often completing the surgery ≤10 minutes; 12 minutes if with bladder stones.His small hands and partially amputated thumb were uniquely suited to a narrow pelvis and to core out the adenoma. He was quite the showman, awing audiences by emerging from the pelvis with the entire adenoma sitting atop his thumb like an apple on a stick. To create the world's first academic medical center, Squier moved his Urological clinic from Madison Avenue to a new 70 bed unit on the 10th floor of the new hospital. To do so, Squier raised $400,000 from his many devoted and wealthy patients. Squier was the Urologists to the stars; like world heavy weight boxing champ Gene Turney,and NY Times publishers Ochs and Sulzberger. The Clinic had its own operating and cystoscopy rooms, pathology and radiology departments, and library. In 1929, he established a 30-bed pediatric service in Babies Hospital. In 1935 he became Chair of Columbia&[prime]s first Urology Department. He was already an academic giant; as one of the founding fathers, President, Governor and Regent of the American College of Surgeons and President of The American Urological Society. Just like today's changing medical landscape, the 1930's were tough economic times - so the clinic targeted well-healed private patients by creating more private rooms, a $4 a day &[Prime]pay ward&[Prime], and reducing charity beds . Increasing &[Prime]fee for service&[Prime] payers kept the Clinic solvent. Squier was succeeded as Chair in 1939, leaving behind a world-renowned and profitable Urology Department. _x000D_ _x000D_

Conclusions

The world of urology surrounding Squier resembles many challenges faced today: hospital mergers and acquisitions and a changing medical and economic landscape. Squier was a Urologic giant.

Funding

None