Bangkok Adventist Hospital - History

History

The hospital was founded in 1937 by funds of Captain Thomas Hall, a sailor, and operated by Dr. Ralph Waddell, his wife Ellen, Nai Pleng Vitiamyalaksna and pastor Kon Vui-leong. In 1940 the facility was expanded to additional 30 beds and became known as the "Annex". At the beginning of the Second World War in South East Asia the Annex was closed and all missionaries left the country. But part of the clinic continued its operation under the direction of Nai Pleng, a medical assistant, and a Romanian physician Dr. S. Bene. In 1946 overseas staff returned to the Hospital. The former Annex was made the initial building for the "Bangkok Sanatorium & Hospital".

The Bangkok Adventist Hospital School of Nursing was established in 1947. In 1986, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing was begun and accredited. In 1997 the school of nursing merged along with Southeast Asia Union College (S.A.U.C) and Mission College to form Mission College (accredited by the Ministry of University Affairs, 1994. On August 4, 2008 Mission College received university status from the Royal Thai Government and was renamed Asia-Pacific International University (A.I.P). Two years of pre-clinical studies are on the Muak Lek, A.I.P. campus with two years of study are on the Bangkok Adventist Hospital/A.I.P. campus. The hospital A.I.P. campus includes classroom, library and dormitory facilities along with clinical nursing facilities in the hospital.

In 1955 School of Midwifery and School of Nursing were officially opened. In 1958 the total bed capacity was increased to 180.

In 1973 the Hospital adopted the name "Bangkok Adventist Hospital". The new Ralph Waddell Wing to expand patients accommodation was opened in 1983.

At the 50th anniversary of the facility, a new Pleng Vitiamalaksna building was established to provide beds for Obstetric and Pediatrics along with some auxiliary services.

In 1990, Mission Health Promotion Center capable of housing 60 people was launched in the Province of Saraburi. The Health Promotion Center is located adjacent to the Muak Lek campus of Asia-Pacific International University.

Currently, the hospital is undergoing extensive physical renovation. Projected completion date is .

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