In 1950, Dr. A.M. Rosenthal applied for permits for a new hospital at 12629 Riverside Drive in then North Hollywood (now Valley Village). Interestingly, permit records from July 27, 1950, reveal he had to delete the word "Hospital" to secure approval, initially opening as a 45-bed sanitarium. Although the building of Temple Beth Hillel and several small stores had began in 1948, this section of Riverside Drive still had a rural character to it. The 101 Freeway did not yet exist in this area, and this section of Riverside Drive had not yet transitioned to a mix of higher density residential and light business uses.

Early on, it was known as a "Maternity Hospital," serving the massive wave of nearby housing tracts built between 1948 and 1960, including Mellenthins of both sides of Coldwater Canyon, the Coronet Tract, and every ranch house built in a five mile radius. It became a primary birthplace for the San Fernando Valley Baby Boomer generation. In the 1950s the San Fernando Valley had 148,441 births. In-Valley births made up almost half of these births by the 1959, The San Fernando Valley, M.H. Cunnington (1975). Otherwise, the population doubled in the 1950s.

By October 6, 1957, the facility was purchased by Dr. David M. Brotman. At the time of purchase, the hospital featured 98 beds, and even hosted a practical nursing school by 1958. By 1959, it was operating as the Valley Doctor's Hospital.

Expansion to Riverside Hospital

In 1973, the facility celebrated a major expansion to 221 beds and was officially renamed Riverside Hospital.  

By 1974, it became Southern California's first onsite cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation center. At its peak in 1975, the hospital boasted 400 staff members and 300 staff doctors, spanning three floors and a basement.

Sacred Heart & Television Fame

After being shut down by Tenet Health on June 26, 1998, the facility found new life as a Hollywood set. In 2001, it became the iconic Sacred Heart Hospital for the hit  television show Scrubs. 

The location was so culturally significant that it was even immortalized as a Lego model.

By 2011, the hospital was demolished. Today, massive apartment complexes stand where thousands of Valley residents once took their first breath.