Provident Hospital holds a significant place in Black history as the first hospital in the United States to be owned and operated by African Americans. It was founded in Chicago in 1891 by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a pioneering African American surgeon.

At the time of its establishment, Provident Hospital provided important medical care to African American patients who were often denied treatment at other hospitals due to segregation and discrimination. The hospital also played a key role in training African American doctors and nurses, providing opportunities for them to pursue careers in medicine during a time when they were frequently excluded from mainstream medical education and employment.

The success of Provident Hospital served as a testament to the capabilities and achievements of African American healthcare professionals, and it paved the way for the desegregation of medical facilities and the advancement of Black healthcare in the United States.