Founded in December 1929 as the result of a bequest in the will of local shipbuilder John T, Mather, the facility has expanded since that time from 54 beds and an emergency room with a single bed to 248 beds and an emergency department open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Today, Mather treats about 12,000 in-patients and more than 42,000 emergency room cases every year. The hospital has a staff of more than 600 doctors and 440 nurses in departments ranging from the Fortunato Breast Health Center to the Sleep Disorders Center.