Fitzsimons Army Medical Center

• Origins in World War I: Fitzsimons Army Medical Center was established in 1918 as U.S. Army General Hospital No. 21 to treat soldiers suffering from tuberculosis returning from World War I. • Named After a Medal of Honor Recipient: In 1920, the hospital was renamed in honor of 1st Lieutenant William T. Fitzsimons, the first American medical officer killed in World War I combat. • World War II Expansion: During World War II, Fitzsimons grew into one of the largest Army hospitals, treating over 50,000 patients and training thousands of medical personnel. • Presidential Patient: President Dwight D. Eisenhower was treated at Fitzsimons following his 1955 heart attack, bringing national attention to the facility. • Medical Innovations: Fitzsimons pioneered techniques in chest surgery and tuberculosis treatment, contributing significantly to advancements in pulmonary medicine. • Cold War Role: The center played a key role as a stateside medical facility during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, treating wounded soldiers and training medical staff. • Training and Education: Fitzsimons housed the Army Medical Department’s School of Nursing and the Army’s School of Preventive Medicine, becoming a major center for military medical education. • Community Impact: The facility became one of the largest employers in Colorado for decades, shaping the growth of Aurora and the Denver metropolitan area. • Closure and Legacy: As part of the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, Fitzsimons closed in 1999, but its historic buildings now form the core of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. • Historic Landmark Status: Several of the original Fitzsimons buildings, including the iconic red-brick Building 500, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its military and medical heritage.