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Vice President for Medical Affairs Records
Notifications
Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]3401 Market Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The position of Vice President for Medical Affairs was established at the University of Pennsylvania in 1931 as part of a major reorganization of the upper level administration of the University to face the realities of an increasingly large and complex educational institution. The position was responsible for overseeing the University's Medical Division, and directing the administrative and academic activities and affairs of the Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Nursing. The Vice President also was in charge of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Between 1931 and 1972 six physicians who were also faculty members of the School of Medicine held this position: Alfred Stengel, M.D. (June 1931 - April 1939), Alfred Newton Richards, M.D. (June 1939 - June 1948), Robin Carl Buerki, M.D. (July 1948 - September 1951), Norman Hawkins Topping, M.D. (November 1952 - May 1958), Isidor S. Ravdin, M.D. (Acting October 1951 - October 1952, October 1959 - September 1965), and Luther L. Terry, M.D. (September 1965 - September 1971). In 1972 the Trustees of the University changed the title to Vice President for Health Affairs. This position was held by two physicians: Robert D. Dripps, M.D. (Acting September 1971 - September 1972, September 1972 - October 1973), and Thomas W. Langfitt, M.D. (Acting November 1973 - May 1974, May 1974 - March 1987). In July of 1974 an executive director of the University Hospitals was selected – indicating the new authority and responsibility that position held. The Vice President position was eventually phased out in 1986 when the Trustees created a new position of Executive Vice President of the Medical Center which has since always been held by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
The Vice President for Medical Affairs Records documents the administrative activities of the office from its establishment in 1931 up through 1983. This includes material related to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, hospitals affiliated or absorbed by the University (e.g. Graduate Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital), and the Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Medical Professions. Researchers can also find material related affiliations with other Philadelphia hospitals. Files related to the professional activities of individual vice presidents can also be found among the records. In keeping with the original order of the collections as received, it should be noted that a few files from previous administrations were received with files of the next administration – as such they were retained within that series when processed. For those looking for records related to health affairs at the University prior to 1931, they should consult the dean records for the various schools and the administrative records for the hospitals.
Those interested in the administrations of Alfred Newton Richards, I.S. Ravdin, and Luther L. Terry should also consult their personal papers (UPT 50 R514, UPT 50 R252, and UPT 50 T329 respectively) held by the University Archives.
The Vice President for Medical Affairs Records are organized into series by Administration. There is one additional series - Assistant to the Vice President for Medical Affairs. All series or arranged alphabetically. This collection was originally organized into four different collections: Vice President for Medical Affairs Correspondence Records, Stengel Administration (UPC 1 S825); Vice President for Medical Affairs Correspondence and Records, 1937 - 1983 (UPC 1.4); Vice President for Medical Affairs Medical Faculty Council Records (UPC 1.5), and Vice President for Medical Affairs Medical Scrapbooks (UPC 1.8).
The Vice President for Medical Affairs Records were acquired from the office of the Vice President in various accessions between 1971 and 1985.
People
- Ravdin, Isidore S. (Isidore Schwaner)
- Stengel, Alfred
- Richards, Alfred N. (Alfred Newton)
- Langfitt, Thomas W.
- Dripps, Robert Dunning
- Terry, Luther L. (Luther Leonidas)
Organization
- Graduate Hospital (Philadelphia, Pa.)
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Board of Women Visitors. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology
- Presbyterian Hospital (Philadelphia, Pa.)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania. School of Nursing
- University of Pennsylvania. School of Medicine
- University of Pennsylvania. School of Dental Medicine
- Philadelphia General Hospital
- University of Pennsylvania. School of Veterinary Medicine
Subject
- Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Community health services -- the United States
- University hospitals -- Administration
- Medical education -- United States
- Public health -- United States
- Education -- Iran
Place
Occupation
- Publisher
- University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
- Finding Aid Author
- Joseph-James Ahern
- Finding Aid Date
- April 2018
- Access Restrictions
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Access to collections is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center.