Centro Asturiano - The Hospital

The Hospital

At a meeting on March 24, 1902, Dr. G.H. Altree volunteered to be medical director for the new club. He offered the use of his clinic and sanitarium to Centro members in need of medical attention. By 1903, the society had grown so large that hotel space was leased to keep up with the growing medical needs until the first Covandong Sanitarium was opened in 1905; it boasted 54 beds. In 1927, a Second Covadonga Hospital was opened. Keeping with the strongly Catholic membership of the club, both buildings were named after the Virgin of Covadonga, when Our Lady Mary appeared in the 8th century, at the beginning of an extensive reconquest to free the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule.

In 1956, the Centro Asturiano Hospital, Inc was chartered and all facilities transferred to the new corporation. This was done so the hospital could qualify for federal funds and grants from private corporations.