History
As early as the end of the 19th Century, the well renowned surgeon Theodor Billroth (1829-1894) was one of the first to recognize the importance of having duly trained nursing personnel as partners in the rapidly changing world of medicine. FurthermoreTheodor Billroth, internationally respected already in the early 80s of the 19th century understood the need for reform on the sector of nursing, which was totally lacking the sufficient level of education at the time.
At the “Rudolfinerhaus”, founded by Theodor Billroth and named in honor of Crown Prince Rudolf, the first School of Health and Nursing Care in Austria was opened in 1882. In the course of its 125-year history the Rudolfinerhaus in Vienna has developed into a modern service provider, meeting the highest demands and offering its patients a broad spectrum of medical treatments and up-to-date diagnostics.
In 1882 Theodor Billroth established one of the first schools of nursing in Europe, sponsored by the non-profit “Rudolfinerverein” (Rudolfiner Society), under the patronage and carrying the name of Crown Prince Rudolf.
The festive opening of the Rudolfinerhaus in May of 1882 saw the realization of Billroth’s vision: providing nurses with the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice in a teaching hospital, while allowing their abundant daily experience at bedside to flow into nursing theory.
Theodor Billroth was followed as director of the hospital by Robert Gersuny. Gersuny was a leadership personality, who, with great patience and love for the enterprise, spared neither time nor effort to lead the work begun by Billroth out of the threats to its existence that prevailed for many years.
After Gersuny’s death, Otto von Frisch was appointed the new director of the Rudolfinerhaus. He was followed as president by the world-famous surgeon – a student of Billroth’s – Anton von Eiselsberg.
In 1956 Leopold Schönbauer took on the office of president and director. Thanks to his drive, the Rudolfinerhaus was able to recover from severe war damage and to undertake essential measures for reconstruction. Furthermore, a modern nurses’ residence was built during his directorship.
It was, finally, due to the internationally renowned and world-famous Professor Karl Fellinger that the Rudolfinerhaus moved to the top rank of private hospitals in Austria. With its far-flung network of contacts – particularly in the Middle East – and a well-functioning organizational structure, a medical institution was created that is not only one of the best in Austria but that has also become well-respected and renowned internationally.
Today, more than 125 years after its founding, the Rudolfinerhaus is one of the top private hospitals in Europe, having a school for nursing and health care attached. The quite and serene location close to the famous natural beauties of the Vienna Woods make the Rudolfinerhaus a first class private hospital not only for local but likewise for international patients offering the right surroundings for successful treatment and rapid recovery.
In December 2007 the Rudolfinerhaus was the first private hospital to obtain the international ISO certificate for the entire hospital and its services.