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Licenses, Degrees, and Certificates collection, 1838-1991

Overview of the Collection

Title
Licenses, Degrees, and Certificates collection
Dates
1838-1991 (inclusive)
Quantity
6 linear feet
Collection Number
2005-001
Summary
This collection shows the wide variety of documentation of health professionals of the 19th and 20th centuries. It includes, but is not limited to, degree-granting medical institutions around the world. The individuals named likewise were not all affiliated with the University of Oregon or its various incarnations.
Repository
Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. MC:LIB
Portland, OR
97239
Telephone: 5034945587
hcaref@ohsu.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.

Languages
English, Latin, Spanish; Castilian, Japanese
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Historical Note

History of the medical degree: According to Sir John Bagot Glubb, Syed Faride and S. M. Imamuddin, the first medical schools to issue academic degrees and diplomas were the teaching Bimaristan (Hospitals) of the medieval Islamic world. The first of these institutions opened in Baghdad during the time of Harun al-Rashid. They then appeared in Egypt from 872 and then in Islamic Spain, Persia and the Maghreb thereafter. Physicians and surgeons at these hospital-universities gave lectures on Medicine to medical students and then a medical diploma or degree was issued to students who were qualified to be practicing physicians.

According to Douglas Guthrie, who bases his account on L Thorndike, medical men were first called "Doctor" at the Medical School of Salerno. He states that the Emperor Frederick II decreed in 1221 that no one should practice medicine until he had been publicly examined and approved by the masters of Salerno. The course lasted 5 years, and to start one had to be 21 years old and show proof of legitimacy and of three years study of logic. The course was followed by a year of supervised practice. After the laureation ceremony the practitioners could call themselves "magister" or "doctor."

In 1889 Oregon legislators responded to demands from the medical community and passed a bill creating the Board of Medical Examiners. Charged with regulating the practice of medicine in Oregon, the Board was appointed by the Governor and included "three persons from among the most competent physicians in the state." Licensing requirements were relatively simple. Physicians either had to show a diploma from a medical school, pass an exam given by the Board, or, if already practicing, register within 60 days of the new law's passage. Over the next 40 years, the Medical Practice Act went through significant changes. In 1895, the legislature added two members to the Board and defined unprofessional conduct for the first time to include "employment of cappers or steerers (payment for patient testimonials), moral turpitude, betraying professional secrets, and obtaining a fee for the care of an incurable disease." Applicants also were now required to submit their educational credentials and pass an exam on all branches of medicine. An osteopathic physician was added to the Board in 1907.

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Content Description

The materials range in scope from high-school and military records to medical degrees and miscellaneous awards. They cover the period 1838-1991.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

Licenses, Degrees, and Certificates collection, Collection Number 2005-001, Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives

Restrictions on Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

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Administrative Information

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Assorted licenses, degrees, and certificates

    • Description: Alpha Omega Alpha, Certificates – Fraternities & Societies

      Establishing chapter at University of Oregon, naming charter members

      Dates: 1923 December 10
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Alvin, Henry

      Willamette University. Department of Medicine; M.D., Willamette U. Dept. of Med. In merger with U of Oregon

      Dates: 1916 June 8
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Barclay, Forbes

      Diploma from and membership in the Royal College of Surgeons, London; "Fit and capable to exercise the Art and Science of Surgery"; Signed by Astley Cooper

      Dates: 1838 July 4
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Bartlett, James Curtis

      Willamette University. Department of Medicine (lso); Certification that Bartlett "has done special work in anatomy, having served for six months as Assistant Demonstrator", 31 May 1900; M.D., Willamette University, 31 May 1910

      Dates: 1900, 1910
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Bartlett, James Curtis

      First Lieutenant, Medical Section, Officer's Reserve Corps of the Army of the U.S., certificate from the President of the United States of America

      Dates: 1917 June 10
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Bettman, Adalbert G.

      Portland Academy of Medicine (lso); University of Oregon. Medical School (lso); M.D., UOMS, 29 April 1907; Oregon license, Medicine and Surgery, 9 January 1908; One year as House Physician and Anesthetist, including six months as First Surgical Assistant 5 June 1908; Fellow, Portland Academy of Medicine, 10 March 1921; Benefactor & citation, Portland Academy of Medicine, 6 December 1956

      Dates: 1907-1956
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Bettman, M. Montefiore

      Portland High School (Portland, OR) (lso)

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Bisaillon, Marr

      New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital (lso); Alpha Omega Alpha (lso)

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Brooke, Lloyd Wesley

      University of Oregon. Medical School (lso); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Upsilon Chapter (lso); Multnomah County Hospital (lso)

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Caldwell, Matthew

      M.D., Ohio Medical College, 1 March 1848; (attached is a letter of certification with note: "Diploma and letter of certification of Dr. Matthew Caldwell presented by Dr. Earl Canfield, June 1942")

      Dates: 1848, 1942
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Carpenter, Horace

      Certificate and card of withdrawal, Pathological Society of the Cities of Davenport and Rock Island [Iowa], 22 September 1860; Certificate of honorable dismissal, Scott County Medical Society of Iowa, 25 September 1860; [Asst.?] Surgeon of the First Regiment Cavalry, Oregon Volunteers, "now in the service of the United States", State of Oregon, 13 April 1863; Surgeon of the First Regiment Infantry [the word "Cavalry" is crossed out and replaced with "Infantry"], 5 December 1864; Surgeon First Regiment Oregon Infantry, 3 March 1865; Membership, Medical Society of the Third Judicial District of Oregon, ["organized October 14 1870"]; Member, The Medical Society of the State of Oregon, elected member on 1 September 1874, certificate sealed 5 July 1876

      Dates: 1860-1876
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Corkins, Philip G.

      M.D., Rush Medical College

      Dates: 1853 February 16
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Fenton, Ralph A.

      Doctor of Science, University of Oregon, 30 May 1943; Award of Merit, American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (with velvet pouch), 12 October 1943; Member, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, 1 August 1957

      Dates: 1943, 1957
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Josephi, Simeon E.

      Doctor of Laws, Univeristy of Oregon

      Dates: 1924 June 16
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Lawrence, Harriet J.

      Fellow, American Society of Clinical Pathologists

      Dates: 1927
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: McPherson, John Leslie

      Doctor of Dental Medicine, The Directors of North Pacific College

      Dates: 1919 June 23
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Miles, Robert Herbert

      M.D., University of Oregon

      Dates: 1929 June 10
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Miscellaneous, Military Citations & Certificates

      The Secretary of the Navy – Presidential Unit Citation to Task Unit Twenty-One Point Fourteen, Consisting of the U.S.S. Card, U.S.S. Barry, U.S.S. Borie, U.S.S. Goff and VC Squadrons One and Nine, [Name in bottom left corner (appears to be a signature – of original owner?) is David E. Sullivan, M.D., Flight Surgeon, U.S.S. Card]

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Portland Academy of Medicine and Multnomah County Medical Society, Certificates – Fraternities & Societies

      From UOMS to members of Portland Academy of Medicine and Multnomah County Medical Society – acknowledgment of gifts for development of library

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Rice, David B.

      Major, Illinois Volunteers, 102nd Regiment, commissioned 30 September 1862, certificate sealed 6 December 1862; Member, The Medical Society of the State of Oregon, elected member 14 September 1875, certificate sealed 13 June 1876

      Dates: 1862-1876
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Sanders, I. Newton

      M.D., Willamette University, 3 April 1900 (Label attached says, "Presented by Mrs. Marjorie Huff Nace (granddaughter) June 1, 1959")

      Dates: 1900, 1959
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Sears, Charles E.

      Oregon license, Medicine and Surgery, 15 August 1913; Fellow, Portland Academy of Medicine, 8 October 1914

      Dates: 1913-1914
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Smith, Andrew C.

      Member of the Alumni Association, Cooper Medical College [class of 1877], 16 November 1885; Member, Medical Society of the State of California, 23 April 1886; Fellow, Portland Academy of Medicine, 1 December 1906; Member, State Board of Health, State of Oregon, 12 March 1907; Fellow, American College of Surgeons, 22 June 1914; Member, Oregon Governing Committee of the Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine, undated

      Dates: 1885-1914
      Container: Box 1
    • Description: Smith, Andrew C.

      M.D. diploma, Cooper Collegium Medicum, 4 November 1882 [Diploma in Latin except small explanatory note: "Cooper issued this diploma after the Medical College of the Pacific, where Smith received his M.D., closed and transferred its faculty to Cooper."]; Polyclinicae in Novo Eboraco, Polyclinica Novi Eboraci Omnibus [Polytechnic Institute of New York University], 1889

      Dates: 1882, 1889
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Smith, Caryll T.

      M.D., Collegium Medicinae Pacificum [Pacific Medical College], 16 May 1918; Washington State license, Medicine & Surgery, 7-9 January 1919

      Dates: 1918-1919
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Society of Sigma Xi, Certificates – Fraternities & Societies

      Establishing University of Oregon - Portland Chapter, naming charter members

      Dates: 1952 November 6
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Spurrier, Ravena T.

      M.D., University of Oregon, 3 May 1909; Oregon license, Medicine and Surgery, 8 July 1909; "has attended the Graduate School of Medicine and Surgery and Laboratory Branches of the University of Oregon Medical School", June-July 1919

      Dates: 1909, 1919
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: University of Oregon Medical School, Military Citations & Certificates

      United States Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery – Certificate of Commendation, 27 October 1945; Department of the Army – "For proficiency in the training of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps Unit …", 31 December 1948; Navy Department – Mark of Commendation, undated; U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery – Certificate of Achievement, undated; U.S. Office of Civilian Defense & U.S. Public Health Service – certify that Affiliated Hospital Unit 150 has been organized by UOMS, undated

      Dates: 1945, 1948, undated
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: University of Oregon, Military Citations & Certificates

      War Department, Office of the Surgeon General – Certificate of Appreciation for 46th General Hospital in World War II

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Upsilon Chapter, Alpha Kappa Kappa, Certificates – Fraternities & Societies

      Designating Upsilon Chapter, naming charter members

      Dates: 1903 March 21
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Woolley, Ivan Medhurst

      M.D., University of Oregon, 5 June 1919; Intern, City & County Hospital, St. Paul MN, 10 June 1919 – 1 July 1920; Oregon license, Medicine and Surgery, 22 July 1920

      Dates: 1919-1920
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Ziegler, Amelia

      M.D., Woman's Medical College, Kansas City, MO

      Dates: 1898 May 3
      Container: Box 2
  • Dental School-Assorted licenses, degrees, and certificates

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Corporate Names

  • North Pacific College of Oregon
  • Oregon Health & Science University
  • Oregon Health & Science University. School of Dentistry
  • University of Oregon. Medical School

Form or Genre Terms

  • degrees (academic)
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