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AAMC History
In June 1876, as America prepared to celebrate its first century as a
nation with a gala centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, representatives
of 22 medical schools met in that same city and formed the Provisional
Association of American Medical Colleges. The call for the meeting stated
that "the object of the convention is to consider all matters relating
to reform in medical college work."
Over the course of several days, the group considered eight questions
and one resolution, and adopted a constitution, bylaws, and articles of
confederation. From this modest beginning, the AAMC began
its existence, firmly grounded in the notion that it should lead its members
"in the advancement of medical education in the United States, and
the establishment of a common policy among medical colleges in the more
important matters of college management."
The association's beginnings were fraught with disagreement among its
members about the appropriate course of action necessary to improve medical
education. Just a few years after its initial meeting, one medical journal
of the day stated that "the late meeting of this association at Richmond
was a pronounced failure and the indications are that it was the beginning
of the end of the organization."
Today, the AAMC survives and thrives, a testament to medical
schools' impetus to provide the best possible education for tomorrow's
doctors. Although the improvement of medical education is still its core
purpose, the AAMC's agenda now also encompasses the biomedical research
that underpins that education, the health care system that reaps its benefits,
and the management of the medical schools and teaching hospitals where
that education occurs.
Mary H. Littlemeyer Archives
The institutional archives of the AAMC, known as the Mary H. Littlemeyer
Archives, was established in 1968 around the records gathered by
the AAMC's first staff member, Fred Zappfe, M.D. Ms. Littlemeyer
began with the items collected over Dr. Zappfe's 50 years with
the association and gradually expanded the collection as the association
moved from Evanston, Ill., to Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.,
to its present headquarters at 2450 N St., N.W.
Ms. Littlemeyer
managed the Archives until her retirement in 1993. Her collection
policy was intended to ensure adequate and complete documentation
of the association, its origin, development, policies, and activities.
She implemented this policy by identifying and preserving association
records having long term value as documentation of AAMC's legal
basis and organizational structure, and as documentation of AAMC's
programs and activities.
Archives Collection
The AAMC Archives collects and preserves records relating to the
history, governance, and programs of the Association of American
Medical Colleges. The oldest document in the collection is the proceedings
of the AAMC's founding in 1876. Other documents include program
specific and association-wide newsletters, group directories and
agendas, and a full run of
Academic Medicine, the association's peer-reviewed journal. Constituents and other qualified researchers
are welcome to make an appointment to access the collection. The
materials do not circulate, but may be used on site. Copying is permitted
if it does not injure the records.
For an appointment, contact the archives staff:
Marian Taliaferro
202-828-0433
mtaliaferro@aamc.org
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