The Marine Hospital Service (the forerunner of the Public Health Service) was founded to provide health care to merchant seamen. The Federal Government created a number of hospitals in the major port cities. As trade, commerce, and immigration grew in the late 1800's and early 1900's, Great Lake ports were also included as sites for Marine Hospitals.

Buffalo's Marine Hospital was established in 1909, at 2183 Main Street, Buffalo, on the grounds of what is now Sister's Hospital.