George Whitehair and Dr. Francis Jeyaraj, members of the Boston Legacy Foundation, pose with a portrait of Dr. Frank Erdman Boston that was recently unveiled at Mission BBQ’s King of Prussia location as part of a display honoring veterans and first responders. (Photo courtesy of Boston Legacy Foundation)
Local doctor helped found Lansdale hospital, ambulance corps
Submitted verbatim by Boston Legacy Foundation
In honor of a remarkable veteran, Mission BBQ’s King of Prussia location has honored Dr. Frank Erdman Boston, recognizing his extraordinary legacy of military service, medical leadership, and lifelong commitment to community care.
The tribute reflects Mission BBQ’s national mission to honor veterans and first responders and places Dr. Boston’s story before the public in a settingdedicated to service and sacrifice.
The portrait was permanently hung alongside a photo of Dr. Boston in uniform during a ceremony attended by a small group of supporters, as well as special guests, including Melvin Payne, leader of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen; Tyrone Love, Commander of a VFW Post and American Legion Post; and former U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director C. Danny Spriggs.
Dr. Frank Erdman Boston’s story is not just history. It is a rare institutional legacy that remains active and visible today through Jefferson Health and the Volunteer Medical Service Corps VMSC ambulance service.
A World War I veteran and African American physician, Dr. Boston returned home from military service at a time when both his race and veteran status presented real barriers to opportunity.
Rather than accept those limitations, he built institutions that changed how care was delivered in his community.
In 1934, Dr. Boston founded what would become Jefferson Lansdale Hospital. Unlike many early community hospitals, his institution did not close or fade into memory.
It grew, adapted, and continues to serve patients today as part of the Jefferson Health system. That level of continuity nearly a century of uninterrupted service is uncommon in Pennsylvania and rare nationally.
Beyond the hospital, Dr. Boston also organized and led what became one of the region’s earliest ambulance and emergency response services, now known as the Volunteer Medical Service Corps VMSC.
At a time when no formal emergency medical system existed, his belief was simple care should begin the moment help arrives. That philosophy helped shape modern emergency response and continues to influence patient care today.
“Dr. Boston’s life shows what service really means,” said George Whitehair, Executive Director of the Boston Legacy Foundation. “His military service shaped him, but it did not define the limits of his impact. He came home and built institutions that are still serving people nearly a century later.”
Dr. Francis Jeyaraj, a well-known pediatrician and community leader, emphasized the lasting influence of Dr. Boston’s example.
“Dr. Boston represents the very best of medicine and service. As physicians, we stand on the shoulders of pioneers like him, whose commitment to patients and community continues to guide our work today.”
“Dr. Boston’s life reflects the values we strive to honor every day,” said Steve Groshardt of Mission BBQ’s King of Prussia location. “Mission BBQ is dedicated to honoring veterans, active-duty military, and first responders, and Dr. Boston’s story shows how service can continue long after the uniform comes off.”
For more information on the Boston Legacy Foundation, visit www.bostonlegacyfoundation.org or search for “Dr. Frank E. Boston” on Facebook.
