{"id":681508,"date":"2026-03-25T20:26:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/681508\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T20:26:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:26:13","slug":"penn-medicine-festival-will-celebrate-schools-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/681508\/","title":{"rendered":"Penn Medicine festival will celebrate school\u2019s history"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Penn Medicine is a giant in the world of medical research and care.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In recent years, its researchers invented the mRNA technology<\/a> that powers COVID-19 vaccines, engineered CAR T-cell therapies to treat leukemia and other cancers, and developed the first gene therapy to reverse a type of hereditary blindness.<\/p>\n

Those innovations are the latest in a long line of discoveries and advances dating back to 1765. That\u2019s when Dr. John Morgan proposed that his alma mater \u2014 called The College of Philadelphia at the time \u2014 follow the example of institutions he\u2019d observed in Europe and create its own medical program.<\/p>\n

The college agreed to appoint Morgan as professor of medicine and Dr. William Shippen as professor of anatomy and surgery, establishing the first medical school in the American colonies.<\/p>\n

\"\"Dorothy Leung, chief of staff to the dean at the Perelman School of Medicine, left, and artist Jenn Procacci stood next to a poster of a statue Procacci designed celebrating the school\u2019s history. (Meir Rinde\/Billy Penn)<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 1768, 10 students received their medical diplomas,\u201d said Dorothy Leung, chief of staff to the school\u2019s dean. \u201cTo think now we have over 25,000 Perelman School of Medicine alumni, working and living globally, taking their talents and their dedication to medicine and research all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

A festival celebrating the school\u2019s founding and its many achievements since then will be held this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pereleman School, 3400 Civic Center Blvd.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the latest event in the \u201c52 Weeks of Firsts<\/a>\u201d \u2014 a year-long series of \u201cFirstivals\u201d the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee is putting on to celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th birthday and the city\u2019s central role in U.S. history.<\/p>\n

Celebrating Penn Medicine breakthroughs<\/p>\n

Every Saturday in 2026, the free events offer storytelling, performances, exhibits, souvenir giveaways and activities for kids and adults to celebrate innovations or \u201cfirsts\u201d that originated in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

Recent Firstivals have commemorated the invention of the matchbook<\/a>, the nation\u2019s first flower show<\/a>, and the first authentic Chinatown Friendship Gate<\/a>, among other firsts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leung said this Saturday\u2019s event will \u201cshowcase a lot of the breakthroughs that come out from Penn Medicine, and ways in which we work with our community as well.\u201d Other advances by the school\u2019s researchers<\/a> over the years have included the first x-ray image, discovery of cancer\u2019s genetic basis, and development of SCUBA gear and CAT scans.<\/p>\n

\"\"Artist Jenn Procacci decorated a number 1 statue for this Saturday\u2019s Firstival event celebrating the establishment of the nation\u2019s first medical school in Philadelphia in 1765. (Photo by Gustavo Garcia\/Colibr\u00ed Workshop)<\/p>\n

Festival-goers can also check out artwork commissioned for the event. For each Firstival, an artist decorates a 5-foot foam statue, in the shape of a \u20181,\u2019 with images related to that week\u2019s theme.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For her statue, artist Jenn Procacci included historical images of Dr. John Morgan and the former Library and Surgeons Hall building on 5th Street, which was part of the school in its first few decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cPenn medical school is known for really being a leader in innovation,\u201d she said. \u201cSo I show a DNA helix there and some hands cradling what symbolizes \u2018the light of knowledge,\u2019 which [Morgan] spoke of in his 1765 address called \u2018A discourse upon the institution of medical schools in America.\u2019 I really was seeking to fuse the past with the present for this \u2018first.\u201d<\/p>\n

First medical school, stadium and circus performance coming up<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the complete list of other firsts being highlighted this year, along with the upcoming Saturday Firstival dates and locations.<\/p>\n

Completed<\/p>\n

Week 1:\u00a0 Successful balloon flight in America (1793)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 2: The Mummers parade, the nation\u2019s first folk parade (1901)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 3: Volunteer fire company (1736)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 4: Professional basketball league (1898)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 5: Public Girl Scout cookie sale (1932)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 6: African Methodist Episcopal congregation (1794)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 7: Abolitionist society in America<\/a> (1775)<\/p>\n

Week 8: Authentic Chinese gate built in America<\/a> (1984)<\/p>\n

Week 9: Public protest against slavery in America<\/a> (1688)<\/p>\n

Week 10: Flower Show<\/a> (1829)<\/p>\n

Week 11: Women\u2019s medical college<\/a> (1850)<\/p>\n

Week 12: Matchbook<\/a> (1892)<\/p>\n

Upcoming<\/p>\n

\u2022 The first medical school in America (1765)<\/strong>
March 28, Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stadium in America (1895)<\/strong>
April 4, Franklin Field, 235 S. 33rd St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Circus performance in America (1793)<\/strong>
April 11, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Botanical garden (1728)<\/strong>
April 18, Bartram\u2019s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Postmaster (1737)<\/strong>
April 25, Franklin Court, 322 Market St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 American-made piano and sousaphone (1775 and 1893)<\/strong>
May 2, Ensemble Arts Philly, 300 S. Broad St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mother\u2019s Day (1908)<\/strong>
May 9, Historic St. George\u2019s Museum & Archives, 326 New St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hospital in America (1751)<\/strong>
May 16, Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 World\u2019s Fair on American soil (1876)<\/strong>
May 23, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic<\/p>\n

\u2022 Steamboat for passengers and freight (1787)<\/strong>
May 30, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 American flag (1777)<\/strong>
June 6, Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Army (1775)<\/strong>
June 13, Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Annual Reminder demonstration (1965)<\/strong>
June 20, Philly Pride Visitor Center, Lombard St. and S. 12th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Paper maker in America (1690)<\/strong>
June 27, Rittenhouse Town, 6034 Wissahickon Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bank of the United States (1791)<\/strong>
July 4, First Bank of the United States, 120 S. 3rd St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Organized baseball team (1831)<\/strong>
July 11 (location TBD)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ice cream soda (Oct. 1874)<\/strong>
July 18, Franklin Fountain, 116 Market St.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 American art school (1805)<\/strong>
July 25, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Scientific Society of Natural History (1812)<\/strong>
Aug. 1, at Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway<\/p>\n

\u2022 Zoo in America (1874)<\/strong>
Aug. 8, Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Mint (1793)<\/strong>
Aug. 15 (location TBD)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Selfie (1839)<\/strong>
Aug. 22, Love Park, 1501 John F Kennedy Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Slinky (1943)<\/strong>
Aug. 29, Philadelphia Art Museum, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway<\/p>\n

\u2022 Signing of the Constitution (1787)<\/strong>
Sept. 5, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Continental Congress (1774)<\/strong>
Sept. 12 at Carpenters\u2019 Hall, 320 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Naming of the United States (1776)<\/strong>
Sept. 19, Independence Hall<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ronald McDonald House (1974)<\/strong>
Sept. 26, Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Penitentiary in America (1829)<\/strong>
Oct. 3, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The First Peoples<\/strong>
Oct. 10, Penn Museum, 3260 South St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (1775)<\/strong>
Oct. 17, Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Public showing of a motion picture (1870)<\/strong>
Oct. 24, Philadelphia Film Society, 1412 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Modern detective story written (1841)<\/strong>
Oct. 31, Edgar Allan Poe House, 532 N. 7th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Thanksgiving Day parade in America (1920)<\/strong>
Nov. 7, Benjamin Franklin Parkway<\/p>\n

\u2022 University in America (1740)<\/strong>
Nov. 14, Houston Hall, The University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Children\u2019s hospital in America (1855)<\/strong>
Nov. 21, Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia, Main Building, 3401 Civic Center Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pencil with an attached eraser (1858)<\/strong>
Nov. 28, National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Weather bureau (1870)<\/strong>
Dec. 5, The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Electronic computer (1945)<\/strong>
Dec. 12, The University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Public lending library in America (1731)<\/strong>
Dec. 19, The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Philly food firsts: Cheesesteaks (1930s), water ice (1932) and bubble gum (1928)<\/strong>
Dec. 26, Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today. Penn Medicine…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":681509,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5132],"tags":[231950,5229,25417,17803,472,129930,1448,41929,2830,1311,30814,265681,34086,67,586,132,5230,24003,26396,68,2969],"class_list":["post-681508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-52-weeks-of-firsts","tag-america","tag-america-250","tag-historic-philadelphia","tag-history","tag-mural-arts-philadelphia","tag-pa","tag-penn-medicine","tag-pennsylvania","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-250","tag-philadelphia-historic-district","tag-semiquincentennial","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-university-of-pennsylvania","tag-upenn","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116291697859999864","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=681508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/681509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=681508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=681508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=681508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}