Western Surgical Association Archives

Collection

Identifier: MS C 404

Abstract

Minutes of meetings, bylaws, registers, programs, transactions proceedings, scientific programs, and related materials.

Dates

Creation: 1891-1995

Extent

12.6 Linear Feet (7 boxes + 68 volumes)

Creator

Western Surgical Association (Organization)

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite. History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine

Language of Materials

Collection materials primarily in English

Restrictions

Collection is not restricted. Contact the Reference Staff for information regarding access.

Copyright and Re-use Information

Donor's copyrights were transferred to the public domain. Archival collections often contain mixed copyrights; while NLM is the owner of the physical items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. It is the user's responsibility to research and understand any applicable copyright and re-publication rights not allowed by fair use. NLM does not grant permissions to publish.

Privacy Information

Archives and manuscript collections may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in any collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications for which the National Library of Medicine assumes no responsibility.

Historical Note

The Western Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was formed in 1891 during a meeting at the Copeland Hotel in Topeka, KS. The meeting was called by Dr. Milo B. Ward, extending an invitation to specialists from "Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Indian Territory." Twenty-three surgeons attended this initial meeting, and a permanent association was formed, with 42 charter members. Dr. Ward became the first Association president. In 1895, the name was changed to the Western Surgical and Gynecological Association, and again in 1909 to its current designation.

The organization has a limited membership of 300 active members, and attracts leaders in surgical practice, medical investigation, and education. The membership has historically been a group of general surgeons representing the surgical sub-specialties. It is currently represented on the American Board of Surgery, the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons and the Advisory Council for Surgery of the American Colege of Surgeons.

Collection Summary

Minutes of meetings, bylaws, registers, programs, transactions, proceedings, scientific programs, and related materials. No meetings were held for 1942-1943.