while in the service of the king, mead got involved in the creation of a new charity, the foundling hospital, both as a founding governor and as an advisor on all things medical. the foundling hospital was a home for abandoned children rather than a medical hospital, but it is said that through dr. mead's involvement, the foundling was equipped with both a sick room and a pharmacy. he is even supposed to have influenced the architect, theodore jacobsen, into incorporating a large courtyard to promote the children exercising. a full-size portrait of dr mead, donated by the artist allan ramsay in 1747, ensures that his contribution will not be forgotten, and is permanently displayed at the foundling museum.