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Inventory of the Margaret Tante Burk Collection on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
MS106
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Title: Margaret Tante Burk collection on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
Dates: 1904-2005
Collection number: MS106
Collector:
Margaret Tante Burk
Creator:
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
Collection Size:
13.5 linear feet
(13 archival document boxes, 1 mapcase folder)
Repository:
Loyola Marymount University. Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90045-2659
Abstract: This collection consists of Margaret Tante Burk's research and writings for her proposed book on the Hollywood Presbyterian
Medical Center (the book was never published). The collection contains rough drafts, correspondence, memorabilia, photographs,
news clippings, newsletters, magazines, brochures, pamphlets, books, and audiocassettes. Dates of materials range from 1904
to 2005.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount
University.
Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,
Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher
must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility
for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or
executors.
[Identification of item], Series number, Box and Folder number, Margaret Tante Burk Collection on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical
Center, MS106, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.
Gift of Margaret Tante Burk, accession number: 2009.3. Gift of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, accession number: 201127.
History of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in Los Angeles, and was the first hospital in Hollywood.
In 1920, there were not enough hospital beds within the Los Angeles area to accommodate the 100,000 plus residents in Hollywood.
A significant need for another hospital spurred the efforts of physicians and citizens in the area to raise funds to build
a hospital within Hollywood. Zoning issues and lack of funds constantly impeded the development of the hospital. However,
on May 15, 1924 the Hollywood Hospital opened and received its first patients. By 1926 the East Wing was added, increasing
the bed capacity to 300.
In 1929 the Depression hit and soon the hospital struggled to keep its doors open. Fortunately, the hospital was financially
saved by a Trust established by Mrs. Millicent Olmsted in 1904. Mrs. Olmsted dreamed of building a Presbyterian hospital in
Los Angeles where patients of any creed and race would be treated. Mrs. Olmsted's trustees were able to turn her dream into
a reality when they took over the hospital on November 11, 1937. Hollywood Hospital then became known as the Hollywood Presbyterian
Hospital-Olmsted Memorial.
During World War II many of the hospital's nurses were taken for military duty, creating a need for more trained nurses at
home and abroad. With the help of the U.S. government subsidy for training nurses, the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital School
of Nursing opened in 1944. Bungalows were added to the institution in order to provide classroom and living spaces for the
students. The South Wing was added in 1961, providing 72 beds and a new surgical suite. By 1975 the Diagnostic and Treatment
Center Tower was added, and in 1977 the hospital's Primary Care Center opened.
Today the hospital is called the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. The medical center has cared for many celebrities
in the past; Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Babe Ruth, Lana Turner, and many others have visited the
institution for ailments, treatments, births, and deaths. The hospital continues to serve the Hollywood community and the
greater Los Angeles area.
| 1924 | Hollywood Hospital founded. |
| 1926 | East wing added to hospital. |
| 1937 | Olmsted Trust takes over hosptial. Hospital renamed Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital Olmsted Memorial. |
| 1944 | Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing opens. |
| 1961 | South wing added to hospital. |
| 1975 | Hospital's new Diagnostic and Treatment Center Tower opens. |
| 1977 | Hospital's new Primary Care Center opens. |
The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in Los Angeles. The hospital hired Margaret Tante
Burk to write a book on the institution's history (1983). Margaret Tante Burk's rough drafts and notes for the book chapters,
along with her research and related correspondence make up the collection.
The proposed book covers the founding of the hospital, and spotlights particular events and staff members throughout the hospital's
history. The book also contains an early history of medicine, nursing, and Hollywood. Certain highlights throughout the hospital's
history are the nursing school, famous celebrity patients (Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Babe Ruth, Bob Hope, etc.), the beginnings
of plastic surgery, innovations and research in neurological medicine, and the additions of new wings and towers to the hospital.
The bulk of the research materials Margaret Tante Burk collected were produced by the hospital (1924 - 1988) and the hospital's
historical committee, the Hollywood Presbyterian Historical Committee (1969 - 1988). These materials consist of meeting minutes,
correspondence, memos, manuals, newsletters, interviews, and photos documenting the day to day activities and significant
events at the hospital. Margaret Tante Burk also collected photos, newspaper clippings, books, and memorabilia relating to
the the hospital, the early history of Los Angeles, and the general field of medicine.
26 audiocassettes are part of the collection, but have not been processed.
The date of the materials range from 1904 to 2005.
This collection is arranged in four series. Series 1 is further arranged in two subseries:
- Series 1: Heart of Hollywood Book. Subseries A: Book Chapter Manuscripts.
- Series 1: Heart of Hollywood Book. Subseries B: Book Notes.
- Series 2: Research.
- Series 3: Photographs.
- Series 4: Glass Plate Photos.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Burk, Margaret Tante
Medical care -- California -- Los Angeles (Calif.)
Medical Care -- History
Medical Care -- Calfiornia -- Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Archival Sources
California -- Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital
California -- Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center