Rex Hospital Operating Room, 1923

From “The story of Rex,” a history of Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C., http://rexhealthcarefoundation.com/our-story/. I decided to use this photo today because I had surgery at Rex Hospital this morning.

Operating Room at Rex Hospital, Raleigh, circa 1923. This image is part of the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

UNC REX Healthcare springs from one man’s single act of generosity. More than 175 years ago, John Rex, a tanner by trade, acted on that desire to lift up his fellow man by making a bequest.

“I give and bequeath…all money belonging to me…to provide a comfortable retreat for the sick and afflicted poor belonging to the City of Raleigh in which they may have the benefit of skillful medical aid and proper attention.”
– John T. Rex, 1771–1839

“Mr. Rex was one of those unobtrusive, modest men who pursue, undisturbed, the even tenor of their way, content with discharging the duty they owe to society and studiously avoiding public notoriety.”
– Raleigh Register, February 1839

The hospital founded by John Rex opened in 1894 in a converted residence with a staff of seven. Today, Rex has facilities in seven towns and cities — Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Garner, Knightdale, Wakefield, Holly Springs — take John Rex’s vision of hope and healing to more than 1 million residents.