Floreasca Hospital was established in 1933 by decision of the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Social Welfare, at the initiative of Dr. Nicolae Minovici. In his inauguration speech, Dr. Minovici emphasized the necessity of such a facility: “The idea of establishing an emergency hospital concerned us immediately after the war. 

Establishment of Floreasca Hospital

Annual statistics from the Rescue Society over 27 years show that out of 100 poisoning cases, thanks to the aid provided solely by the Rescue Society and its rapid intervention, 80–90% are saved, whereas accidents requiring immediate surgical intervention to the head, chest, abdomen, or limbs have a mortality rate of nearly 70–80%, as there is no hospital available in continuous operation during the afternoon and night.”

The hospital officially opened in May 1934, initially with 50 beds. Its structure was designed to provide rapid and efficient emergency services, pioneering in interwar Romania.

The Role of Surgeon Theodor Firică

In the following years, surgeon Theodor Firică (1901–1978) revitalized the emergency services. In August 1947, Professor Firică was invited to Peleș Castle to discuss with Queen Mother Elena the construction of a modern emergency hospital in Romania. 

The Queen recounted the incident in which the future King Michael, as a child in Italy, suffered an acute appendicitis crisis, and finding a hospital capable of operating on him immediately was difficult. This event further highlighted the necessity of a modern emergency hospital, fully prepared for any type of surgical intervention.

At that time, a patient could be fully evaluated clinically, radiologically, and in the laboratory within 15–20 minutes, resuscitated, and prepared for the required surgery. This efficiency and promptness made Floreasca Hospital a benchmark in Romanian medical care.

Nicolae Labiș and the Poem Dictated on His Deathbed

One of the most famous stories of the hospital is connected to the poet Nicolae Labiș. One late night, he was brought to the hospital by ambulance, presenting with polytrauma and a cervical spine fracture with spinal cord injury. 

Despite the severe pain and immobilization, Labiș dictated to those nearby the poem “The Bird With The Ruby Beak”. This event became emblematic, linking the poet’s name to Floreasca Hospital and showing how medicine and art can intersect even in critical moments of life.

Institutional Development of the Hospital

By the time it was taken over by the state from social insurance in 1949, the hospital had 130 employees, including medical and sanitary staff, and 91 administrative personnel. It was organized into three surgical departments, one orthopedic department, and two internal medicine departments. 

Ten years later, in 1959, the hospital was transformed into a surgical and medical accident hospital, including burns, with 120 beds for surgery and 30 for internal medicine. At this time, it was specified that the hospital would operate continuously with on-call teams and as a teaching base, being authorized to handle surgical and orthopedic emergencies across the capital.

At this stage, Floreasca Hospital became a national reference point for emergencies, equipped with modern facilities for that era and ready for complex interventions, from severe trauma to internal medicine and orthopedics.

Modern Structure of Floreasca Hospital

By 2018, the Bucharest Emergency Clinical Hospital, commonly known as Floreasca Hospital, had 731 beds distributed across 16 departments covering a wide spectrum of specialties: internal medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, clinical toxicology, neurology, hemodialysis, general surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, cardiac and major vascular surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics and traumatology, anesthesia, and intensive care. 

Additionally, outpatient consultations were available for specialties such as ENT, ophthalmology, gynecology, dermatology, psychiatry, maxillofacial surgery, rehabilitation, physical medicine, and balneology.

The hospital also houses the Emergency Department-SMURD, providing medical assistance by helicopter with a crew available 24/7, ensuring medical transport for victims of severe accidents, critically ill patients in isolated areas, organ transport for transplantation, and participation in search-and-rescue or humanitarian missions.

Medical Standards and Hospital Evolution

Until 1990, Floreasca Hospital specialized in severe and traumatic pathologies. Today, surgeons perform classical, laparoscopic, thoracoscopic thoracic surgery, and arthroscopic procedures for orthopedics and bone trauma, including robot-assisted interventions, placing the hospital on par with European and international standards.

In orthopedics, joint replacement and management of complications achieve excellent outcomes. Cardiology has been significantly diversified, including interventions for acute myocardial infarction, rhythm disturbances, radioablation, and stem cell applications in cardiac pathology. The hospital also provides auxiliary services in pulmonology and nephrology with dialysis.

From Necessity to Complexity

Floreasca Emergency Hospital was born out of a clear necessity: the Rescue Society could stabilize patients on the street but had nowhere to take them for treatment. 

Professor Minovici developed a small initial unit with a surgery department and a few internal medicine beds, which over time evolved into a full-fledged hospital capable of handling all pathologies.

Today, Floreasca Hospital remains a national and international medical landmark, representing not only progress in emergency medicine in Romania but also a part of cultural history, connected to names like Nicolae Labiș. 

That the poet dictated his work while on his deathbed symbolizes the intersection of suffering, inspiration, and excellence in medical care.

Floreasca Hospital continues to be a vital institution for Bucharest and Romania, offering complex, rapid, and high-performance care, a tradition that began in 1933 and continues to evolve, integrating the latest medical standards and technologies to ensure patient safety.

We also recommend: Societatea Salvarea, Dr. Nicolae Minovici’s Project, and the Story of the First Ambulance in Bucharest