A portrait of Braemar Hospital’s “pioneering and determined” founder has been unveiled in celebration of the Hospital’s 100th anniversary.
A commissioned portrait of Nursing Sister Frances Young now enjoys pride of place in Braemar Hospital’s recently revamped reception area, acknowledging the extraordinary achievements of the woman who created the foundation Braemar exists upon today.
The portrait, a pastel rendition of one of the only known photographs of Young, is by Waikato-based artist Bernadette Ballantyne.
Braemar Hospital was originally established on Tainui Street in Hamilton in 1924 and was known as Tirohia Maternity Hospital before it was purchased by Young in 1926 and converted to a medical and surgical centre named Braemar.
After the hospital was sold in the 1950s its ownership remained in the hands of private medical practitioners until 1970 when it was transferred into the ownership of Braemar Charitable Trust (then named Braemar Hospital Charitable Trust).
Trust Manager Paula Baker says the Trust wanted to commemorate 100 years of the hospital by paying homage to its “inspirational” founder and commissioning a portrait of Young.
“Frances Young was quite a remarkable woman, and unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of information left by her over the years – she’s been lost to history a bit,” says Ms Baker.
“We felt with the Hospital celebrating its 100th year we had a responsibility to bring to light the incredible work she did, as a single woman with two adopted sons, in setting up and owning a hospital, which was certainly no mean feat for the time.”
Ms Baker says the commitment to excellence and quality patient care that was a core tenet of Young’s practice still stands true today.
“The values she had very much underpin our approach today and now extends to our commitment to improving health outcomes in our community and enhancing healthcare access and equity.”
Braemar Charitable Trust has a range of activities to deliver on its charitable purpose to improve health outcomes, including its flagship Community Surgery Programme. The programme enables free surgery and health interventions for those who have been declined by the public health system, and don’t have ACC cover, medical insurance, or the financial means to pay privately.
Thanking supporters
The portrait was officially unveiled at an event hosted by the Braemar Charitable Trust, attended by Braemar Hospital executive leadership and board members, along with current and former trust staff and trustees.
Trust Chair Vicky McLennan says the event was also an opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of the Trust’s work over the years and update them on current activity.
“It was lovely to reflect on the success everyone has achieved together over the years – the surgeons and anaesthetists who donate their time and skill for the Community Surgery Programme, our donors and partners, and all the supporters who believe in what we do. It was a wonderful chance to bring everyone together to see how far we have come while also recognising the foundation Frances Young built for us.”
A history of helping
While the Trust has enabled free surgeries for eligible patients since its inception, demand has increased significantly in recent years.
In the most recent financial year ended 31 March 2025, the Trust enabled 156 free surgeries for those in need, an increase of 124% on the previous year. The Trust spent $88,000 on associated costs but estimates these surgeries and procedures would have cost $500,000 in real terms.
As of 31 January 2026, the free surgery number has already surpassed the full 2024/2025 figure, at 158.
