WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson University was established in 1824 as the Jefferson Medical College, now Sidney Kimmel Medical College, as one of the United States’ first medical schools; and
WHEREAS, The institution quickly became a pioneer in medical education: the first U.S. medical school to open a clinic for the poor and accept free patients, and the second with an associated teaching hospital, establishing Philadelphia as “a City of Eds and Meds”; and
WHEREAS, In the 200 years since, Jefferson has grown into a national doctoral research university, regional health system, non-profit health insurer, and Philadelphia’s largest employer; and
WHEREAS
, F
or two centuries, Jefferson faculty and more than 77,000 graduates have been innovators and leaders in education, research, discovery and clinical care; and
WHEREAS
, T
oday, Thomas Jefferson University is a beacon of success for universities across the nation, offering a future-focused model for the education of professionals whose careers will extend through the dynamic 21st century, in fields ranging from architecture, business and industrial design to the life, physical and social sciences; and
WHEREAS
,
Jefferson is a research powerhouse whose world-class scholars and investigators work across the spectrum from basic discovery to translation and application of new knowledge; and
WHEREAS
,
Jefferson remains a steadfastly committed partner to Philadelphia communities, businesses and people, continuously working to improve lives in myriad ways; and
WHEREAS
,
Jefferson Health’s 32 hospitals and over 700 sites of care deliver high quality, cutting-edge health care to millions of patients each year; and
WHEREAS
,
Jefferson Health Plans array of insurance plans make affording health care attainable for more than 360,000 members; and
WHEREAS
, T
hrough its year-long Bicentennial Service Initiative, the entire Jefferson community is investing over 200,000 hours of volunteer engagement in the communities it serves; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson University is celebrating both its rich history and bright future as it begins to create its third century of education, discovery, healthcare and community engagement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and congratulates Thomas Jefferson University on their 200th Anniversary
and recognizing October 26, 2024 through November 1, 2024 as Jefferson Bicentennial Week in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph Cacchione, MD, in recognition of this occasion, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End