General Correspondence, May 1977

This series contains the professional and personal correspondence of Dr. Wilson. To maintain the integrity of much of the original order of the records, correspondence from 1953 through 1959, and 1977 through 1981, is arranged at the folder level in strict chronological order. Correspondence from 1970 through 1976 is arranged alphabetically, with important individual or organizational correspondents separately grouped in one folder. Within each folder, correspondence is arranged in forward chronological order.

This series contains valuable information regarding Dr. Wilson's personal and professional endeavors and circle of acquaintances during most of his medical career. Notable individual correspondents include Dr. B. J. Bass, a pioneer in establishing medical automation at his Bass Clinic in rural Salem, Missouri; Clarke Wescoe, President and Chairman of the Board of Sterling Drug, Inc.; John A. Buesseler, Vice President for Health Affairs at Texas Tech University Complex; E. Grey Dimond, Provost for Health Sciences at the University of Missouri; John Adriani, noted anesthesiologist and head of the Anesthesiology Department at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana; and Fred V. Lucas, Chairman of the Department of Pathology at the University of Missouri Medical Center. Dr. Wilson's personal letters with long-time friends, former students, and other associates provide insight into his personal views on such topics as U.S. politics, medical education, and health policy as well as the everyday events of his life.

Dr. Wilson's work with a wide range of professional organizations created a significant amount of correspondence. Some of these organizations include the American Board of Family Practice, American Public Health Association, Appalachian Regional Commission, the Academy of Anesthesiology, American Academy of Family Physicians, Ad Hoc Committee on Conflicts of Interest in Medical Practice of the Institute of Medicine, and the Sex Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). A sizable number of congratulatory letters to Dr. Wilson regarding his appointment as Administrator of HSMHA provide an array of individual names identified with public health policy during the early 1970s. Many of the topics or professional work discussed in the correspondence are also covered in records contained in Series 3: Medical Education and Series 4. Other Professional Activities.