On May 4^th, 1891 Daniel Hale Williams founded a medical institution named Provident Hospital and Training School.  It was the first black owned and operated hospital in the United States. The institution was located on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. Daniel Hale Williams was a prominent black surgeon. Williams had grown tired of the racial discrimination policies enlisted by both white owned nursing/medical schools as well as white owned hospitals.  The discriminatory actions by these white owned institutions is what moved Williams to start Provident Hospital and Training School.

In 1929, Provident Hospital began to affiliate itself with Chicago University. As a result the hospital and training school became a pioneer in black medical education and hospital reform.  Through the schools training program, 118 students from over 24 states graduated from its nursing program. However due to surmounting financial issues, the relationship between Provident Hospital and Chicago University ended in 1944. Due to the poverty of the people that the hospital and medical school, it made it hard for the business to be maintained.  In 1982, the hospital and medical school relocated to a more modern facility, however the debt still existed. Five years later, in 1987 Provident Hospital and Training School had to close its doors once again.

Many wanted the once successful hospital and medical school to be reopened. Many fundraisers were held and donations were given to fund the attempt. However, it was not enough to reopen Provident. However in 1991, the Cook County Board of Commissioners bought the hospital. Provident was able to reopen its doors. However, as a result Provident was no longer recognized as a black owned institution.  In 1994, Provident began an associational relationship with Loyola University, putting it back on the map for medical education.  Even though the hospital and school is no longer considered black owned, it is still a source of medical service to the community it serves.

Source:  http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/chicagos-provident-hospital-opens