What Happened to Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP)?
The Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP), originally founded in 1850 as the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, was a pioneering institution for women in medicine. After becoming co-educational in 1970, it underwent several mergers and financial challenges, eventually being fully integrated into Drexel University in 2002 as part of the Drexel University College of Medicine. Its legacy continues through Drexel's medical programs and ongoing celebrations of its historic contributions to medical education.
Quick Answer
The Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) no longer exists as an independent entity. It was absorbed into Drexel University in 2002, becoming a foundational part of the Drexel University College of Medicine. While its physical hospital facilities, like MCP Hospital and Hahnemann University Hospital, have closed or been redeveloped, its educational legacy, particularly in advancing women in medicine, is actively celebrated and continues through Drexel's current medical programs.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Founded as Female Medical College of Pennsylvania
The institution was established in Philadelphia by Quakers as the world's first degree-granting medical school for women, providing unprecedented opportunities for female physicians.
Renamed Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP)
The college changed its name to Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, continuing its mission to educate women in medicine.
Becomes Co-Educational and Renamed Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP)
After 120 years, the institution began admitting male students and adopted the name Medical College of Pennsylvania, expanding its reach.
Joins Allegheny Health System
MCP and its affiliated hospitals became part of the Allegheny Health System, marking the beginning of a series of institutional affiliations.
Merges with Hahnemann University
The Medical College of Pennsylvania merged with Hahnemann University, creating the MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine under the Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation (AHERF).
AHERF Bankruptcy and Drexel University's Involvement
The Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation (AHERF) declared bankruptcy. Tenet Healthcare acquired its hospitals, while Drexel University agreed to operate the academic components as MCP Hahnemann University.
Fully Acquired by Drexel University
Drexel University officially assumed full ownership of MCP Hahnemann University, integrating it into the university and renaming it Drexel University College of Medicine.
Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital (MCP Hospital) Closes
The community hospital component, MCP Hospital, which had operated since the early 1930s, ceased operations.
Hahnemann University Hospital Closes
Hahnemann University Hospital, a major teaching hospital for Drexel University College of Medicine, announced its closure after its owner filed for bankruptcy, leading to significant disruption in medical training and healthcare services.
Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health Opens
A new four-year regional medical campus, the College of Medicine at Tower Health, opened in West Reading, Pennsylvania, expanding Drexel's medical education footprint.
New Health Sciences Building for Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine welcomed first- and second-year MD program students to its state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building in University City.
Preliminary Bid for Former Hahnemann Hospital Properties
A New York real estate developer made a preliminary bid of $16.25 million for a collection of former Hahnemann University Hospital properties, including the empty patient towers, signaling potential redevelopment.
Transfer of Former Hahnemann Properties to Drexel
Developer Iron Stone transferred two former Hahnemann University Hospital properties, donating the New College Building to Drexel University and selling a parking garage to the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Legacy Celebration as Part of '52 Weeks of Firsts'
The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (original MCP) is celebrated as part of Philadelphia's '52 Weeks of Firsts' for America's 250th anniversary, with Drexel University hosting an event to honor its history.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) traces its origins to 1850, when it was established as the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, the first degree-granting medical school in the world for women. This pioneering institution was founded by Quakers in Philadelphia, aiming to provide educational opportunities for women in medicine during a time when such paths were largely inaccessible. It was renamed the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) in 1867 and played a crucial role in training thousands of women physicians globally.
In 1970, after 120 years, the institution became co-educational and adopted the name Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP). This marked a significant shift in its mission, opening its doors to male students while continuing its legacy of educational innovation and research, particularly in women's health. The late 20th century brought a period of mergers and financial instability. In 1987, MCP and its affiliated hospitals joined the Allegheny Health System (AHS). By 1993, MCP merged with Hahnemann University, forming the MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine under the Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation (AHERF).
The financial collapse of AHERF in 1998 was a major turning point, leading to its bankruptcy. Tenet Healthcare Corporation acquired AHERF's hospitals, while Drexel University stepped in to operate the academic components, including the colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health, under the name MCP Hahnemann University. This arrangement solidified in 2002 when Drexel University fully acquired MCP Hahnemann University, renaming it the Drexel University College of Medicine. This acquisition ensured the continuation of the medical school's educational mission under a new institutional umbrella.
Consequences of these transformations included the closure of physical hospital facilities associated with MCP. The Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital (MCP Hospital) ceased operations in 2005. More recently, Hahnemann University Hospital, a significant teaching hospital for Drexel University College of Medicine, closed in 2019 after its owner, American Academic Health System, filed for bankruptcy. This closure led to the largest displacement of resident physicians in U.S. history.
As of March 2026, the legacy of MCP lives on through the Drexel University College of Medicine. Drexel continues to uphold the values of educational opportunity and excellence in medical training, with new facilities like the Health Sciences Building in University City welcoming students. The original institution's groundbreaking role in women's medical education is being celebrated as part of Philadelphia's '52 Weeks of Firsts' for America's 250th anniversary, with Drexel hosting events to honor this history. Former Hahnemann properties are also undergoing redevelopment, with some being transferred to Drexel for future use.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) made different choices?