<P> UI Hospitals and Clinics employs over 7,100 people and is overseen by the Iowa Board of Regents . It is Iowa's only comprehensive, tertiary - level center and also its premier medical facility . In addition to taking care of local patients, people throughout the state and region are often referred to the University's hospitals for treatment of serious or complex illnesses or injuries . </P> <P> The University of Iowa began medical services in 1873 when its medical department entered into an agreement with the Sisters of Mercy to operate a small hospital in the community . Davenport, Iowa physician Washington Freeman Peck and other physicians raised $5,000 to renovate a vacant school building known as Mechanics Academy into a 20 - bed hospital . This hospital had two open wards for both men and women, four private rooms, and a surgical amphitheater . Dr. Peck convinced the Mother Superior of the Davenport - based Sisters of Mercy to send nuns to Iowa City to help care for patients . This arrangement lasted until 1885, when the Sisters moved to a nearby vacant mission and opened Mercy Hospital one year later . </P> <P> It soon became apparent that a new hospital was needed as the University was outgrowing its original facility . In 1896 the state of Iowa approved the needed appropriations . A 65 - bed hospital was built in 1898 where the school's Seashore Hall is now located . This facility was state of the art at the time of its construction, with both electrical lighting and steam heating . The hospital featured a 200 - seat amphitheater for instructional purposes . </P> <P> Following passage of indigent care laws in 1928, patient admissions increased greatly . The current hospital was built in 1928 as a 735 - bed hospital . At the time of its construction, the hospital building was one of the largest in the country . </P>

When was the university of iowa hospital built