Samuel Merritt University history

1912 Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing graduates its first class of 13 nurses.

CCPM, now known as the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM), was originally established in San Francisco in 1914.

1916 The first major outbreak of poliomyelitis occurs. “Reconstruction aides” (later to become known as physical therapists) help recovering patients regain muscle strength and flexibility.

1922 The California School of Chiropody is initially accredited by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association.

1928 Peralta Hospital, a 120-bed plush acute facility, opens its doors.

1933 A special bronze tablet, commemorating Doctor Merritt, the physician, shipmaster, philanthropist and founder of The Samuel Merritt Hospital is placed on Doctor Merritt's crypt in Mountain View Cemetery. (Merritt was one of the cemetery's organizers and its first president.)

Five Sisters of Providence incorporate the School of Nursing, on January 29, 1940, making it a separate institution named Providence College of Nursing.

Samuel Merritt College awards its first Honorary Doctorate in Nursing Humanities to Barbara Bechtel Davies, a diploma graduate from the class of 1953, in recognition of her service to the College, Samuel Merritt Hospital, and the Oakland community. .

1956 The National League for Nursing visits and fully accredits Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing's diploma program for the first time.

1957 Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing collaborates with Mills College to enable student nurses to fulfill their general studies requirements.

1960 Barbara Bechtel Davies, graduate of Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing, becomes first woman member of the Merritt Hospital Board of Directors.

1961 The California School of Chiropody receives its initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

1962 Doctor Henry McIntosh, cardiologist at Duke University, trains local firemen in emergency procedures for the community; in exchange, off-duty firemen staff the cardiac catheterization laboratory; former Navy hospital corpsmen are hired for similar roles.

1964 United States Surgeon General William Stewart assigns Doctor Richard A. Smith to develop a physician assistant training program.

1965 Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing sponsors a six-week training program for hospital housekeeping and dietary aides in association with Laney College; 16 students graduate.

1966 More than 1,000 Samuel Merritt graduates celebrate the completion of the new school of nursing and student residence at Homecoming.

1967 A Merritt Monogram Newsletter reports a troubling nursing shortage, which first surfaced shortly after World War II, and forecasts an even more critical shortage.

1969 The California Podiatry College changes its name to the California College of Podiatric Medicine.

1971 The East Bay Health Foundation recommends consolidation of services by four hospitals: Merritt, Peralta, Providence, and Children's.

1972 With 1,515 graduates over 68 years, Providence Hospital School of Nursing closes due to dwindling enrollment.

1973 A male student enrolls in the freshman Summer Program and subsequently joins the junior class.

1974 The California College of Podiatric Medicine establishes an agreement with the University of California - San Francisco when the state legislature appropriates funds for podiatric medical education.

1975 Seventy students graduate in a ceremony held at the First United Presbyterian Church.

1977 The California Board of Registered Nursing approves the Intercollegiate Nursing Program curriculum, clearing the way for Samuel Merritt to offer the BSN degree with Saint Mary's College.

1979 Studio Three, the College's audiovisual center, makes its public debut on local cable stations providing health education programming.

1980 Samuel Merritt Hospital Board of Directors approves change of name to Samuel Merritt Hospital College of Nursing and approves a resolution for Samuel Merritt Hospital College of Nursing to affiliate with Saint Mary's College to offer a joint bachelor of science in nursing degree.

The Intercollegiate Nursing Program with Saint Mary's was established in 1981.

1982 Samuel Merritt Hospital and Peralta Hospital merge to become Merritt Peralta Medical Center and the College of Nursing moves toward becoming a separate corporation after 73 years as a department of Merritt Hospital.

1984 The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Samuel Merritt College, making it one of the first hospital-based nursing schools in the nation to become an independent, accredited four-year college.

1986 Samuel Merritt College completes the final step to become an independent institution when it is declared a tax-exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service and the State of California Franchise Tax Board.

1988 The Samuel Merritt College Board of Regents passes resolution establishing the Samuel Merritt College Nursing Education Endowment Fund and the Samuel Merritt College Endowment Fund.

1989 The Board of Regents approves the legal name change for Samuel Merritt College of Nursing to become Samuel Merritt College as the institution undertakes the planning for its first degree program outside of the nursing profession and its first graduate degree.

1990 The Department of Physical Therapy is founded, and the first class of entry-level master's of physical therapy students is enrolled.

1992 On March 1, Merritt Peralta Medical Center and Providence Hospital consolidate to become Summit Medical Center, which provides the College an opportunity to welcome Providence College of Nursing alumni into the Samuel Merritt College family.

1993 The Board of Regents approves development of a master of occupational therapy program.

The institution admitted its first master of occupational therapy students in 1994.

1996 Foundations support creation of the Scholars in Service program to serve the East Bay through minority enrollment in the undergraduate nursing program.

1997 The Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) reports 28,500 physician assistants in active practice; with prescribing authorized in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

In 1999, it established the first master's degree program for physician assistants in the western United States.

2000 Mississippi is the last state to enact legislation authorizing physician assistants to practice in the state after 25 years of effort by local and national organizations.

In 2001, the College began expanding its programs to regions beyond the East Bay, offering graduate nursing education at its Sacramento Regional Learning Center.

2002 The California College of Podiatric Medicine merges with Samuel Merritt College, becoming the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt College, and relocates to Oakland.

2004 Samuel Merritt College's graduates of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Master Physician Assistant program surpass the national average score on their certification and/or licensure exams.

2005 In response to the long-term nursing shortage, Samuel Merritt develops a one-year Bachelor of Science accelerated program for college graduates (ABSN) and admits its first class.

2006 Samuel Merritt College's San Francisco Learning Center opens its doors on the St Luke's Hospital campus with funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

2007 Samuel Merritt College opens its state-of-the-art Health Sciences Simulation Center on its Oakland campus enabling the College to adopt simulation learning throughout its health professional programs.

In 2008, SMU and Saint Mary's discontinued their historic joint degree program.

26, 2009 Samuel Merritt College celebrates 100 years of history and accomplishment and announces that it shall be known as Samuel Merritt University effective January 27, 2009.