Finding aid for the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland Records

History of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland

The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland (f. 1902), a professional organization for the promotion of modern medicine and community health issues, was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, at a joint meeting of the Cuyahoga County Medical Society and the Cleveland Medical Society with an initial membership of 459. From the beginning, the academy allied itself with the Cleveland Medical Library Association, often sharing office space. In an effort to improve the organization and its services, a full time executive secretary was hired in 1919, making the Cleveland academy the first in the country to hire a professional administrator. The strategy worked and within two years the membership had increased to over 700, marking a turning point in the prestige of the organization. In 1924 the offices moved from Prospect Road to the Allen Memorial Library, and five years later the name expanded to the "Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Medical Society." Throughout its history the academy has been involved in community health issues, endeavoring to promote modern medical techniques through mass media. As early as the 1920s, the academy was instrumental in moving the operation for Tonsillectomies from school clinics to hospitals. Radio programs and public health lectures were particularly popular during the Great Depression. In 1953, a television series, "Prescription for Living," was presented using a doctor and actors from the Cleveland Play House to dramatize medical situations. The academy's 1958 radio panel show, "The Doctor Speaks," later became "Healthlines" and was sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The academy was also active in the community in the latter half of the twentieth century. Members aided in establishing one of the world's first poison information centers, orchestrated polio and rubella campaigns, and helped create the Hough-Norwood Fmily Health Center. In 1976 the academy reorganized its priorities into five divisions: legislative, political, ethical standards, peer review, and negotiations with third-party carriers. The academy is still active today, using advertising agencies and other media professionals to monitor its image.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Cuyahoga County Medical Society

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Cleveland Medical Society

Scope and Content

The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland Records, 1914-1969, consist of card files of interns and members which detail the biographical and educational backgrounds of these members of Cleveland's medical profession. There are also World War II service record books containing information on academy members who entered the Armed Forces while still members and returned to Cleveland after the war. This information includes home and office addresses, dates, places, and rank of entry into the Armed Forces, areas of service and units, and citations and medals. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings and memorabilia relating to the activities of the academy in the 1950s.

This collection pertains largely to the activities and membership of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland during the first half of the twentieth century. Those interested in the military service of Cleveland, Ohio area physicians will find this collection useful. Those interested in the biographical and educational details of Cleveland medical doctors during the first half of the twentieth century will find this collection useful.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

Access to containers 1 through 18 is restricted. Consult the WRHS Curator of Manuscripts for details.

Researchers should also consult MS 4745 Academy of Medicine of Cleveland Auxiliary Records.

All photographs have been removed to the photograph and print collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4462 Academy of Medicine of Cleveland Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Academy of Medicine of Cleveland, 1975.

Processing Information

Processed by Bari Oyler Stith in 1989.

Detailed Description of The Collection