Braemar Hospital Centenary 2026

For a century, Braemar Hospital has been at the heart of our community, delivering exceptional healthcare with compassion, expertise, and unwavering dedication to patient wellbeing.

Our Journey: Braemar’s origins trace back to 1924 when Tirohia, a maternity hospital on Tainui Street, was transformed by nursing Sister Frances Young. In 1926, she expanded services to include medical and surgical care and renamed it Braemar Hospital. In 1970, ownership transferred to the Braemar Charitable Trust, cementing our commitment to community-focused healthcare for generations to come.

A Legacy Built on Excellence: Our history is shaped by skilled specialists, devoted staff, and the trust of thousands of patients who have chosen Braemar for their healthcare journey. From those early days on Tainui Street to today’s modern campus, we’ve continuously evolved while maintaining the values that define us—quality care, patient dignity, and clinical excellence.

Building Our Future: As we celebrate our centenary, we’re investing in our campus to honour this milestone. Our reception refurbishment and facility upgrades ensure Braemar continues to lead in patient-centered care with enhanced spaces, improved technology, and sustainable practices for the next 100 years.

Share Your Braemar Story: We’re collecting memories, historical insights, old photos, and memorabilia throughout the year to celebrate this special occasion. If Braemar has been part of your life or family’s journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Email: 100years@braemarhospital.co.nz

Thank you for being part of our story in making lives better.

Sister Frances is sitting on the right

Frances Young, our founder — where it all began

In 1925, a determined young woman from Southland stepped off the train at Hamilton Railway Station and, without knowing it, changed the course of private healthcare in the Waikato forever.

Her name was Frances Young.

Soon after arriving in Hamilton, Frances purchased a small maternity home and renamed it Braemar. It was a bold move — establishing a private hospital in the 1920s was no small feat. Frances navigated layers of regulation, health authorities and official approvals with the courage and tenacity that would come to define both her legacy and the organisation she built. Approval was granted. Braemar Private Hospital had arrived.

What Frances created from those modest beginnings was something remarkable: not just a hospital, but a philosophy. A belief that private healthcare should be compassionate, accessible and community-minded. One hundred years later, that belief is still very much alive.

“She’s somebody who really stamped her mark from day one. She made a huge decision to buy a hospital and run a hospital. She made a huge decision to challenge the hierarchy,” says Fiona Michel, Braemar Hospital’s Chief Executive.

Frances Young was a woman who met the challenges of her time with resilience and compassion — not only saving lives but making lives better. It’s a phrase that has echoed through every decade of Braemar’s story, and one we carry proudly into our centenary year.

She is not lost to our memory. We see her, we recognise her, and we thank her for everything she gave to this remarkable organisation.

Episode One: Frances Young is the first in a seven-part centenary film series celebrating 100 years of Braemar Hospital. Watch this chapter here and stay tuned each month to explore the story of our people, our milestones, and our future on this page throughout 2026.