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The Dauphin County Medical Society (DCMS) was established on February 20, 1866. The Society was originally established for the purpose of uniting with similar societies of other counties to form and maintain the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the American Medical Association. The primary purpose of DCMS at that time was to extend medical knowledge and advance medical science; elevate and maintain the standards of medical education; uphold the ethics and dignity of the medical profession; foster partnerships between physicians and the communities they serve; and promote public health and hygiene in the prevention and management of diseases.
Earliest meetings were held monthly in the offices of the various members, and later, in a room in the Dauphin County Court House. The cost was $1 per month to rent the room. In 1880, an arrangement was made with the School Board to hold meetings in the Chestnut Street School House with a bookcase allotted to the Society for its use. Today, DCMS headquarters are located in the Pennsylvania Medical Society building, located at 777 East Park Drive in Harrisburg. The DCMS Board of Governors continues to meet the first Tuesday of the month or at the President's discretion.
The first delegates to represent DCMS at the State Medical Society Meeting in 1867 were Drs. H.W. Bishoff, John Curwen, R.A. Martin, S.S. Schultz, S.W. Finley, W.M. Rutherford and H.O. Witman. DCMS continues to have a strong delegate presence at the Pennsylvania Medical Society's House of Delegates meeting.
The Academician pamphlet was first published in September 13, 1911, by DCMS and the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine as a method to announce meetings and record matters of medical interest. The publication continued in this format until 1924 when the DCMS assumed the primary responsibility for the Academician. Advertising opportunities provided funds for "progressive" improvement of the pamphlet. Today, DCMS's publication, The Reporter, a quarterly newsletter, is quite different from the Academician. The Reporter strives to keep members informed of current medical issues on the national, state and local levels. The Reporter provides a forum to welcome new members, discuss new and cutting-edge medical procedures of interest, and inform the readership of the projects and programs undertaken by DCMS and DCMS Alliance.
In this century, many challenges face Dauphin County Medical Society. We are working diligently to bring a renewed and active society to our members. We encourage physicians, residents, students, and practice administrators to become part of our history by joining the Society.
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