History of Pediatric Care in Oakland
Pediatric care in our network traces its roots to the founding of the Baby Hospital in Oakland in 1912 by nurse Bertha Wright, social worker Mabel Weed, and a group of local community leaders. Opening officially in 1914 with 38 beds, it became the first dedicated hospital for infants and children in the East Bay and one of the earliest pediatric-specific care institutions in the Bay Area. Over the following century, Children’s Hospital Oakland grew into a regional pediatric referral center known for trauma care, specialized services, and a strong community mission.
Growth of Pediatric Care at UCSF
UCSF has a long history of pediatric innovation, research, and specialty care. A major philanthropic investment in 2010 expanded UCSF’s commitment to children’s health and led to the construction of a state-of-the-art children’s hospital at Mission Bay, built to advance research-driven pediatric care.
Unified as UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
In 2014, Children’s Hospital Oakland and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco entered a formal affiliation — creating Northern California’s largest pediatric provider network.
This partnership brings together:
- Oakland’s century-long legacy of community-rooted pediatric care
- UCSF’s academic strengths in research, education, and complex specialty care
Together, our pediatric radiology teams serve children from across the region through shared imaging expertise, collaborative workflows, and a joint commitment to excellence.