Benaroya Research Institute history

The first cobalt therapy for cancer treatment in the state of Washington was performed at Virginia Mason in 1957.

Robert P. Gibbons, MD, a urologist who joined the Mason Clinic in 1969, led the formation of the transplant program."

"In March 1972, Virginia Mason's transplant program was established with the successful living donor operation of a father's kidney to his daughter.

The machine debuted at the 1973 meeting of the International Society of Radiology, in Spain, which chairman John H. Walker, MD, was attending.

Roger C. Lindeman, MD, participated in the Northwest’s first cochlear implant in 1980.

The region's first extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter was installed in 1985 for noninvasive treatment of kidney stones.

1992: Bailey-Boushay House, a facility to care for people living with AIDS, opens and is managed and staffed by Virginia Mason.

In 1995, an embryo conceived at Virginia Mason via Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) became the first such baby born in the Northwest.

In 2001, Daniel Paull, MD, performed the first cardiac procedure in the state of Washington using the da Vincitm Surgical System.

Renamed in 2002 in recognition of the Benaroya family of Seattle29 Laboratories325+ Scientists and staff$71 Million in annual research volume

The Mary L. McClinton Patient Safety Award was established in 2006 to honor her memory through recognition of the most significant safety improvements at Virginia Mason each year.

2008: Virginia Mason Institute established to provide education and training in the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) to other health-care providers and organizations.

Doctor Kaplan’s vision of transforming health care through VMPS and becoming the Quality Leader also led to earning the Leapfrog distinction of Top Hospital of the Decade in 2010.

In 2013, the satellite clinics became known as regional medical centers, acknowledging the expanded range of services available.