The Health Science Center's history spans over 130 years, during which time it has undergone several name changes. In 1858, The Long Island College Hospital requested a charter to launch a medical school. The school, which opened in 1860, revolutionized medical education in the United States. The new school was unique because, for the first time in this country, the teaching of medicine was brought to the hospital bedside and the idea that physicians should be trained exclusively in university classrooms and lecture halls was rejected. It was truly a college hospital. In 1985, we celebrated the 125th anniversary of the medical school, at which time the institution became known as the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, a name that reflects the full scope of the Center's activities.

Long Island College Hospital is a Primary Clinical Teaching Affiliate of SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn.