How a small community hospice evolved into the largest nonprofit hospital in the West

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Cedars-Sinai began as a modest refuge for patients denied care elsewhere. Today, it is a sprawling medical powerhouse, managing over two million outpatient visits annually. Beyond its clinical reach, the institution has become a major hub for biomedical research, training the next generation of physician leaders and scientists.

The origins of Cedars-Sinai trace back to the early 20th century, rooted in the mission to serve patients and doctors who faced discrimination at other facilities. The institution was formed through the eventual merger of the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital, two entities that prioritized accessible care and community support. By the 1970s, the need for expanded facilities to accommodate a growing Los Angeles population led to the construction of a massive medical center, which officially opened its doors to patients in 1976.

Today, the main campus is a 24-acre site encompassing 4.4 million square feet. It functions as a full-service, acute tertiary care hospital and serves as a major teaching facility for the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. The institution’s commitment to innovation is anchored by the Burns and Allen Research Institute, which oversees more than 2,600 active research projects. This research infrastructure is supported by specialized facilities, such as the Barbara and Marvin Davis Research Building and the Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion, which house laboratories dedicated to regenerative medicine and other critical biomedical fields.

The network has expanded significantly through strategic affiliations with institutions like Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Huntington Health. In fiscal year 2025, the system recorded 2.19 million outpatient visits across more than 250 locations throughout Los Angeles County. Beyond clinical operations, the newly established Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University reflects the institution's focus on academic rigor, preparing students through PhD and Master’s programs. With over 3,000 physicians on staff and a vast array of specialized research centers, Cedars-Sinai continues to balance its historical mandate of community service with its role as a leader in global medical science.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How a tragic 1984 medical error reshaped hospital work hours across the United States
• How a 19th-century medical college became a global powerhouse of health science innovation
• How a 1921 medical startup became a global powerhouse of specialized healthcare
• The hospital that treated everyone from the homeless to US presidents
• How a Billion-Dollar Gift Transformed a Historic Bronx Medical School Into Tuition-Free
• The NBA's most versatile journeyman was also a second cousin to Kobe Bryant
• The Canary Islands football club that once decided the fate of La Liga titles
• Cefalù: A Sicilian coastal city built on layers of Greek, Arab, and Norman history.
• The Caudillo: How Personalist Strongmen Shaped the Political Landscape of Post-Independence Hispanic America
• Disney built a town to make history, but it became a suburban experiment
• The Chinese giant powering the global electric vehicle revolution
• Cosmic architects who seeded humanity as a biological experiment

More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics