History
A longstanding Cincinnati institution, Hoxworth Blood Center is the oldest operating blood center in the United States and a pioneer in the field of transfusion medicine. Learn more about the history of Hoxworth Blood Center.
Hoxworth's History
1938
The Blood Center opened its doors December 10, 1938, as one of the nation’s first community blood centers, under the direction of Dr. Paul I. Hoxworth. The service was initially under the auspices of the Hamilton County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Dr. Paul Hoxworth with a glass bottle of donated blood.
1944
The American Red Cross moved to disassociate itself from blood banking activities.
UC College of Medicine Dean Stanley Dorst and Dr. Hoxworth persuaded University of Cincinnati President Raymond Walters to agree to University sponsorship for the Blood Center. It became the University of Cincinnati Blood Transfusion Service.
1946
The Transfusion Service outgrew its original quarters in Cincinnati General Hospital Ward C Basement and moved to Pavilion H quarters.
1957
The Transfusion Service began platelet processing.
1972
Dr. Hoxworth retired from the Center.
1973
The Transfusion Service was renamed The Paul I. Hoxworth Blood Center of the University of Cincinnati.
Vintage blood mobile from the Paul I. Hoxworth Blood Center of the University of Cincinnati
1979
Dr. Tibor J. Greenwalt was named director of the Blood Center.
1981
The Paul I. Hoxworth Blood Center of the University of Cincinnati was changed to Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati.
1983
Hoxworth implemented an on-line computer system making the Blood Center one of the most computerized centers in the country.
Hoxworth employees in 1987
1987
Dr. Tibor Greenwalt retired as director of Hoxworth, remains director of Research Division
Dr. Thomas F. Zuck became Hoxworth’s director.
1991
Hoxworth Blood Center implemented more sensitive HIV and Hepatitis C tests to increase the safety of the blood supply.
1999
Hoxworth went live on its new blood bank data management system, SafeTrace.
Image of sign outside of Hoxworth Donor Center on University of Cincinnati Medical Campus
2000
Hoxworth strategically implements automated blood collection to increase red cell collections.
Dr. Ronald A. Sacher became Hoxworth’s director.
2002
Hoxworth achieved a 100% leukocyte-reduced blood and blood component inventory.
Additional automation to collect double red cells introduced.
2003
FACT accreditation achieved for our Cellular Therapy Laboratory and Apheresis Collections.
Dr. Tibor Greenwalt becomes Emeritus Director of Research
2004
Annual Fund Drive initiated.
Joined Blood Centers of America.
Awarded one of 6 National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute contracts to participate in REDS-II, Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II.
2005
Dr. Tibor Greenwalt, Director Emeritus, passed away at the age of 91.
2006
Implemented Acrodose Pre-pooled Platelets, allowing 5-day storage of a pooled component.
2007
Implemented Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) reduction strategies for our blood supply.
2008
Hoxworth Blood Center celebrated its 70th anniversary of saving lives!
Hoxworth Blood Center presented our new logo to the community.
2009
New donor bus added to the fleet.
2010
Hoxworth launches new slogan – “Our Donors Save Lives. Who Will You Save?”
Hoxworth introduced triple platelet collections.
2011
Dr. Susan Wilkinson retired as Associate Director of Hoxworth.
REDS-II Study closed.
UC Health opened its Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant Program in October. The program directly impacts Hoxworth Blood Centers Cellular Therapy, Therapeutic Apheresis and Transplantation Immunology Departments.
2012
Hoxworth’s Transfusion Service at CCHMC was accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
2013
Hoxworth celebrated its 75th anniversary of saving lives.
One of Hoxworth's donor buses
2014
Hoxworth purchased a new bloodmobile.
Therapeutic Apheresis moved to the 3rd floor of the building to accommodate increased operations.
2017
Dr. Patricia Carey retired as Medical Director of Hoxworth.
Dr. David Oh is named Chief Medical Officer of Hoxworth Blood Center.
Dr. Jose Cancelas is named director of the Blood Center after the retirement of Dr. Ronald Sacher.
2023
Hoxworth celebrated it's 85th anniversary of Saving Lives Close to Home.