Series 3: GMITP Officers, 1921-1991

This series describes and demonstrates the leadership of GMITP through its officers and their responsibilities for maintaining and operating both the private, non-profit corporation headquarters in Washington, DC and the scientific research facility, known as the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, in the Republic of Panama. The series is arranged in alphabetical order within each office. Some folders contain the combined materials of several of the office holders.

The subseries "President and Chairman of the Board" presents the basic function, duties, responsibilities and authority that this office held as outlined in the by-laws and policies established by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. One major responsibility entailed presiding at meetings of the Corporation, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee, of which he was a member. The President was accountable to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee on the status of operations and all other important factors that may have influenced decision-making, action(s) and fulfillment of the function of his position description and completion of the program and budget (as approved by the Board of Directors). As an ex officio member of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and other committees, the President did not have the right to vote within these bodies. However, he was responsible for communicating the Executive Committee's policies, views, and guidance to the Director of the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory. He was salaried and under contact with the Board for as long as he held the position.

The President's duties also involved monitoring government relations; recommending activity and involvement with federal agencies and the U.S. Congress; and informing the Chairman of the Board, Executive Committee and other interested parties as to implications of and responses to government actions. All vendors, public service organizations, and industrial associations fell in this realm. In addition, the President was expected to maintain effective relations with other associations in both the private and public sectors in accordance to the policies outlined by GMITP.

In addition to the above functions, the President was responsible for formulating and recommending administrative policies and programs via an annual program of work and budget, to be approved by the Executive Committee. He also was responsible for utilization of major staff personnel in the Corporation and that personnel policies and regulations were followed according to the recommendations of the Executive Committee.

In conjunction with the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Committee and the Advisory Scientific Board, the President maintained complete knowledge of the scientific/research program of GMI/GML; served as spokesman for GMI; and made appearances, delivered speeches, and represented GMI/GML before the public and private sectors.

The subseries "Honorary President" applied to the President of the United States. IN 1969 the position was eliminated as a result of President Richard M. Nixon's "inability" response to the invitation. This subseries also contains a wealth f information regarding Maurice H. Thatcher, a longtime officer and activist for the Corporation from its inception. As a personal friend of Gorgas, Thatcher endeavored to carry on Gorgas' sense of commitment of healing, scientific research, and humanity to those inflicted with malaria and yellow fever. Thatcher was the last surviving member of the Isthmian Canal Commission of 1910-1913 that supervised the construction of the Panama Canal. He was also Governor of the Canal Zone and a former member of the U.S. Congress from Kentucky.