A Family’s Gifts to Nursing Education, Celebrating 120 Years of the Phillips School of Nursing

This year, as the Phillips School of Nursing celebrates its 120th anniversary, one family’s enduring legacy of support shines brighter than ever before. The Phillips-Green family has a multigenerational connection to Mount Sinai and its mission of providing health care and education to underserved communities. In the 1880’s, the Lower East Side was home to nearly a quarter of a million Jews and other immigrants living in one square mile. Moses Phillips, along with 39 other immigrants, met to discuss the need for health care for community members who did not meet the residency requirements imposed by local hospitals. At that time, most of the city’s hospitals would not treat patients who had been in the city for less than a year. The 40 immigrants each contributed 25 cents to establish the first Beth Israel Dispensary, which opened on Madison Street in 1890.

Very quickly, the demand for services grew and the recruitment of nurses became a necessity. In 1902, the Beth Israel School of Nursing was founded, and in 1904 the school was accredited by the New York Board of Regents as an educational institution. At that time, nurses in training also provided service at the hospital.

As the dispensary rapidly outgrew its cramped quarters, Moses’ son, Isaac, led a building committee to raise money for a new hospital building and in 1922, Isaac Phillips laid the cornerstone for a new Beth Israel Hospital at East 16th Street. Isaac’s son Seymour Phillips continued the family’s commitment to both the hospital and the school of nursing and in 1984, the school was named in his honor because it was Seymour who fought to keep the school open in the 1980s when it was in danger of being closed for lack of funding.

“The story of the Phillips School of Nursing is that of immigrants serving their new community of other immigrants,” said Seymour’s granddaughter, Janet Green. “At first they donated energy and ideas and vision. It was what they could afford to do. Later, when they could do more in the realm of major philanthropy, Seymour and his wife Madelyn; my mom Carol; and my uncle Lawrence, gave generously, quietly, and without fanfare.”

Janet’s mother, Carol Green, continued this family tradition of support until her passing at the age of 91. Throughout her lifetime, Carol was instrumental in the school’s growth and success, joining the hospital’s Board of Trustees in 1988. She became a powerful advocate for the Phillips School of Nursing, carrying her father’s torch to ensure its sustainability and prominence over the years. With her brother Lawrence, Carol established a scholarship fund to benefit nursing students. But perhaps one of the most significant acknowledgements of Carol’s commitment was reflected in her decision to include a meaningful contribution to the school in her estate plans, thereby supporting the school beyond her lifetime. And Carol’s bequest coincides with a milestone moment for the school.

“My mother’s tie to Beth Israel, which is now part of Mount Sinai, was one of family history and heart,”

says Janet, now Co-Chair of the Board of PSON. Honoring her mother’s memory and their family’s bonds to PSON spanning three centuries, Janet recently established a new nursing scholarship. With this gift, she hopes to inspire others to support the Phillips School of Nursing during this special anniversary year.

“Health care and health care education have tethered my family’s giving for over a century. Philanthropy as a family project is something people can really be proud of.”