Early records, including membership lists, minutes of monthly meetings, and other documents from the Spartanburg County Medical Society offer an informative glimpse into the roles physicians have played in the health of the community over the past century. Now, as a result of an agreement between the Medical Society and the Library of the University of South Carolina Upstate, those records will be archived and preserved.
The Spartanburg County Medical Society was chartered in 1878 by the South Carolina Medical Association. According to their website, the Medical Society serves as the professional organization for "ethical qualified physicians practicing primarily in Spartanburg County to promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of public health." The charter granted Dr. Lionel C. Kennedy the authority to convene and organize a local chapter in Spartanburg. Preliminary analysis of the collection identified minutes dating as far back as 1923, revealing a fascinating glimpse into topics of current medical and scientific interest, the business of practicing medicine, volunteer medical charity efforts, public health issues, and efforts to educate the public about preventive measures such as periodic health exams and vaccinations. Read more.
