Vision. Legacy. Progress. Achievement. All of these describe Reading Hospital as it celebrates 150 years of caring for the community. Founded in 1868 to serve area residents with compassionate care, it was nurtured by community leaders who understood the importance of a local healthcare facility. Generations later, Reading Hospital continues to operate on the same guiding principles and community support.In its early years of rapid growth and challenging finances, the hospital persevered with help from the community. Benefactors provided financial backing and management expertise to position the hospital for continued growth and service to the community. Throughout the 20th century, the hospital met the growing need for healthcare services with expansions in the physical hospital, and in the scope clinical care. Today, Reading Hospital is the hub of Tower Health, a regional healthcare system based in West Reading, and serving eastern Pennsylvania.