Our Story—Who We Are

From Local Star to Nation's Best

French Hospital Medical Center's rich history is infused with unparalleled accomplishments and improvements that have helped it become one of the nation's Top 100 Hospitals as well as one of the nation's Top 50 Cardiac Hospitals.

With a clear mission and vision, the hospital has contributed to the wellness of our community by providing the highest quality of compassionate and affordable health care—a tradition it will continue into the future.

In 1946, Edison French, MD, wanted to practice leading-edge medicine in San Luis Obispo. So, he purchased the San Luis Sanitarium on Marsh Street and renamed it French Hospital. He claimed to be the first surgeon in San Luis Obispo to use intravenous anesthesia, the first to perform a lung resection, and the first to do a collapsed lung therapy. He was also the first specialist to actively encourage other specialists to settle in the area.

One of Dr. French's first recruits was Lou Tedone, MD, a beloved pediatrician who likely cared for thousands of little San Luis Obispo County children. Eight other board-certified specialists soon joined the French Hospital team and by 1972, the services and staff had grown so significantly, they had to find a new location.

That year, Dr. Edision closed the doors to the Marsh Street hospital and opened the doors to a larger French Hospital on Johnson Avenue, where it is currently located.

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