Guide to the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations Medical Department Records

Descriptive Summary

Title

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations Medical Department Records

Inclusive Dates

1921-1961

Call Number

RG 144

Creator(s)

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations. Medical Department.

Quantity

5.00 cubic feet (5 boxes)

Restrictions on Access

Open for research.

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Administrative History

Established in 1921, the Medical Department was the first organized attempt by the Board of Foreign Missions to supervise the health of missionaries on the foreign field. The PCUSA was one of two pioneer Protestant denominations in this country in the field of organized medical mission work. The establishment of the Department resulted from the growing number of missionaries subject to unsanitary surroundings, malignant diseases and other stresses that would impair their usefulness or threaten their lives. In 1921, Edward M. Dodd, MD, a former missionary to Persia, was appointed Acting Secretary and later elevated to Executive Secretary of the newly formed Department. The Department supervised the health of mission personnel on furlough and in the field and aided in the selection of missionary candidates. It assisted in the recruitment of medical candidates and served as a liaison for medical work on the field.

Collection Overview

Record Group 144 documents the broad range of interest and activity in medical missions of the principal departmental correspondents, Drs. Dodd and W.J.K. Clothier, Medical Secretary and Assistant Medical Secretary respectively, between 1921 and 1961. The collection contains the personal medical correspondence with missionary candidates and missionaries on the field. RG 144 evidences both the concerns of the BFM for the welfare of its numerous workers abroad and their level of response as reflected by problems of personal care and maintenance under generally primitive conditions.

Organization and Arrangement

SERIES 1: MEDICAL COUNCIL/COMMITTEE, 1947-1957
SERIES 2: MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, 1926-1959
SERIES 3: MISSIONARY CANDIDATES, 1939-1956
SERIES 4: FOREIGN STUDENTS AND VISITING NATIONALS, 1937-1951
SERIES 5: MISCELLANEOUS, 1927-1956
SERIES 6: MISSIONARY/COLLEAGUES CORRESPONDENCE, 1923-1960
SERIES 7: MISSION INSTITUTIONS, 1937-1959
SERIES 8: GENERAL SUBJECTS, 1924-1961
SERIES 9: MEDICAL/EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE; MEDICAL CONFERENCES, 1925-1960
SERIES 10: SANITARIA/MISSIONARY RETREATS, 1921-1961

Administrative Information

Processing Information

Collection processed and finding aid prepared: 1980
Robert A. Goldstein, Assistant Records Researcher

Notes added to finding aid: 1983
Frederick J. Heuser, Jr., Archivist

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Corporate Subject

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Foreign Missions. Medical Department.

Topical Subject

Presbyterian Church--Missions, Medical.

Missionaries--Health and hygiene.

Missions, Medical.

Genre-form

Correspondence. aat

Minutes (administrative records) aat

Personal Added Name

Dodd, Edward M. (Edward Mills), 1887-1967.

Clothier, W. J. K. (Walter James Kilburn), 1899-

Corporate Added Name

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Foreign Missions. Medical Department.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Finding Aid to Record Group 144

		SERIES 1: MEDICAL COUNCIL/COMMITTEE, 1947-1957

1	2	Meeting minutes/related papers, Medical Committee/Sub-committee, 1947-1952
1	3	Correspondence/background papers, Medical Committee, 1947-1953
1	4	Correspondence/background papers, Medical Committee/Medical Emphasis Year (1950), 1949-1952
1	5	Miscellaneous papers, Medical Emphasis Year (1950), 1950-1951
1	6	Correspondence, Laymen's Work, 1949-1950
1	7	Minutes/correspondence, Medical Council/Committee, 1950-1951
1	8	Meeting minutes/background papers, Special Committee on the Medical Department, 1952-1956
1	9	Correspondence, Yedical Council/Committee, 1952-1957

		SERIES 2: MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, 1926-1954

1	10	Administrative and planning papers/reports, 1938-1953
1	11	Correspondence/background and administrative papers, 1955-1959
1	12	Miscellaneous items, Division of Overseas Administration, 1955-1958
1	13	Lists/correspondence, "Hospitals and Dispensaries Overseas in which the UPCUSA Participates," 1958
1	14	Lists: Medical missionaries, geographical distribution, furloughed missionaries, 1922-1934
1	15	Bulletins of Medical Department, #73-77 (1954-1957), unnumbered, 1957-1958
1	16	Form letters, 1948-1949
1	17	Miscellaneous domestic correspondence, 1937-1952
1	18	Program suggestions/miscellaneous inquiries regarding Medical Missions, 1948-1952
1	19	Financial papers/correspondence, 1938-1952
1	20	Correspondence/missionarv medical expenditures, 1939-1952
1	21	Charity Fund, 1949-1952
1	22	Medical expenses of retired missionaries, "Ceiling Committee," 1954-1956
1	23	Correspondence regarding personnel/prospective candidates/application process, 1942-1955

		SERIES 3: MISSIONARY CANDIDATES, 1939-1956

1	24	A-B, 1945-1952
1	25	B, 1952-1954
1	26	C-D, 1944-1953
1	27	E-F, 1946-1954
1	28	G, 1948-1954
1	29	H, 1950-1954
1	30	I, 1944-1952
1	31	J, 1949-1954
1	32	K, 1952-1954
1	33	L, 1939-1954
1	34	Mc, 1941-1953
1	35	M-N, 1949-1954
1	36	O-P, 1950-1954
1	37	R, 1947-1954
1	38	Candidates withdrawn, 1946-1956

		SERIES 4: FOREIGN STUDENT AND VISITING NATIONALS, 1937-1951

1	39	A-B, 1939-1950
1	40	D-H, 1937-1951
1	41	I-Le, 1939-1951
1	42	Li-P, 1942-1950

		SERIES 5: MISCELLANEOUS, 1927-1956

2	1	B, 1939-1952
2	2	D, 1938-1952
2	3	E, 1939-1952
2	4	F, 1939-1952
2	5	G, 1940-1952
2	6	E, 1936-1952
2	7	I, 1929-1952
2	8	J, 1939-1952
2	9	K, 1932-1952
2	10	L, 1946-1952
2	11	M, 1951-1952
2	12	N, 1950-1952
2	13	O, 1944-1952
2	14	P, 1945-1952
2	15	R, 1943-1952
2	16	S, 1927-1952
2	17	Miscellaneous correspondence/background papers, 1928-1956
2	18	Correspondence, non-board medical cases, 1949-1452

		SERIES 6: MISSIONARY/COLLEAGUE CORRESPONDENCE, 1923-1960

2	19	Baird, Rev. Richard H, 1950-1952
2	20	Barnes, Dr. William J, 1938-1952
2	21	Boyd, Dr. E. Forrest, 1943-1952
2	22	Chaplin, Dr. Hugh, 1938-1952
2	23	Clothier, Dr. W.J.K, 1944-1956
2	24	Cochran, Dr. Joseph P, 1941-1954
2	25	Cogswell, Franklin D, 1439-1952
2	26	Corbett, Mrs. Charles, 1933-1940
2	27	Corscaden, Dr. James, 1924-1946
2	28	Delphey, Dr. William, 1937-1938, 1946
2	29	Dodd, Rev. A.D, 1937-1946
2	30	Dodd, Dr. Stuart (and family), 1929-1950
2	31	Dodds, Rev. J.J, executive correspondence, 1938-1958
2	32	Edwards, Dr. Martin, 1923-1949
2	33	Elliott, Miss Ruth, executive correspondence, 1936-1958
2	34	Erdman, Dr. Charles R, Board correspondence, 1927-1942
2	35	Erdman, Dr. Frederick, 1924-1932
2	36	Fletcher, Dr. A.G, Sr, 1953-1959
2	37	Graham, Dr. H.C, 1939-1943
2	38	Gray, Miss Frances, executive correspondence, 1950-1956
2	39	Hadley, Rev. L.B, 1933-1941
2	40	Hall, Rev. Dr. Ernest, 1939-1948
2	41	Hallock, Miss Constance, 1938-1943
2	42	Hanson, Miss Marjorie L, 1937-1938
2	43	Harbaugh, Miss Ann, 1930
2	44	Harris, Miss Anita (missionary under Methodist Board); Harris, Rev/Mrs. Herbert (PCUSA missionaries retired), 1940-1957
2	45	Harrison, Dr. Paul, 1931-1947
2	46	Hooper, Rev. Dr. J.L, executive correspondence, 1939-1952
2	47	Hughson, Dr. Frances, 1956
2	48	Hume, Dr. Edward H, 1946-1957
2	49	Ingram, Miss Mary, 1947
2	50	Johnston, Rev. Dr. Paul, 1941-1948
2	51	Judd, Senator Walter H, Mental hygiene legislation, 1950-1957
2	52	King, Frederick (potential medical missionary candidate Guatemala), 1947-1948
2	53	Leak, Dr. William H, 1936-1943
2	54	Leber, Rev. Dr. Charles T, executive correspondence, 1942-1959
2	55	Leber, Rev. Dr/Mrs. Charles T, medical correspondence, 1941-1959
2	56	Levonian, Dr. Randel, 1947-1950
2	57	Lindholm, Rev. Paul, 1949-1953
2	58	Little, Rev. Dr. Henry Jr, executive correspondence, 1948-1952
2	59-60	Lodwick, Mrs. Robert (emergency health furlough, general correspondence), 1953-1960
2	61	Mackay, Rev. Dr. John A, 1939-1952
2	62	Mackenzie, Miss Virginia M, executive correspondence, 1942-1945
2	63	Mackie, Dr. Thomas T, 1948
2	64	Mamontri, Dr. Manu, 1950-1952
2	65	Martin, Rev/Mrs. W. Burton, 1949-1953
2	66	McGilvray, James, executive correspondence, 1957-1959
2	67	McKean, Dr. James W, 1938-1944
2	68	Meleney, Dr. Frank L, 1935-1944
2	69	Meleney, Dr. Henry E, 1933-1942
2	70	Moore, Miss Mary E. (Mrs. R.N. MCLean), executive correspondence, 1938-1941
2	71	Morton, Dr. Rosalie Slaughter, 1936-1940

3	1	Newman, Dr. Frank W, 1936-1950
3	2	O'Brien, Dr. H.R, 1936-1956
3	3	Olivera, Dr. Helia, 1943-1949
3	4	Parker, Rev. K.L, 1952
3	5	Ranbhise, Dr. M.P, 1949-1952 (including Ranbhise deputation in US for Medical Emphasis Year 1950)
3	6	Reid, Miss Ann T, 1940-1955
3	7	Rhoads, Dr. Paul S, 1948-1957
3	8	Rodger, Dr/Mrs. John R, 1932-1941
3	9	Ross, Rev. Dr. Emory, 1938-1951
3	10	Roys, Mrs. Charles K, 1939-1952
3	11	Rycroft, Rev. Dr. W. Stanley, 1950-1952
3	12	Ryburn, Rev. Horace, 1945-1952
3	13	Saulsbury, Mrs. Helen, 1948-1951
3	14	Scanlan, Dr. Therese, 1938-1948
3	15	Schell, Rev. Dr. William P, 1938-1953
3	16	Scott, Rev. Dr. George T, 1928-1941
3	17	Scudder, Dr. John, 1932-1941
3	18	Seymour, Dr. N. Gilbert, 1937-1940
3	19	Shepard, Dr. Lorrin A, 1945-1952
3	20	Shields, Dr. Randolph T, 1939-1943
3	21	Shih, Miss Margaret, 1937-1946
3	22	Sinhanetra, Dr. Chinda, 1940-1942
3	23	Sinhanetra, Miss Cirili, 1935-1939
3	24	Smith, Rev. Dr. John C, executive correspondence, 1952
3	25	Speers, Rev. Theodore C, 1935-1952
3	26	Strickler, Rev. H.J, 1949
3	27	Wong, Dr. Ross, 1946-1949

		SERIES 7: MISSION INSTITUTIONS, 1937-1959

3	28	Chile Mission, 1939-1950
3	29	China Missions, 1939-1952
3	30	Colombia Mission, 1939-1951
3	31	Leper work, 1942-1943
3	32	Clinic Colombo-Americana, 1946-1953
3	33	Non-mission, 1942-1953
3	34	Europe--medical work in connection with European missions, 1948-1952
3	35	Guatemala Mission--American Hospital, 1939-1952
3	36	India Missions, 1941-1952
3	37	Miscellaneous correspondence, 1951-1958
3	38-39	Pakistan, Lahore United Christian Hospital, 1947-1958
3	40-42	Ludhiana, Women's Christian Medical College, correspondence, minutes, financial papers, 1949-1959
3	43	Miraj, 1937-1953
3	44	Background papers regarding development, 1954-1955
3	45	Vellore Hospital and Medical College, 1953-1959
3	46	Medical Relief Supplies, US/India Agreement, 1952
3	47	Nepal, Proposed United Christian Mission to, 1953
3	48	Japan, Christian University Medical School, planning papers, 1948-1951

4	1	Korea mission, 1945-1953
4	2	Severance Hospital and Medical Center, 1952-1955
4	3	Medical Board correspondence with Dr. Florence J. Murray, 1952-1957
4	4	Latin America, Medical deputation correspondence, reports, 1944-1948
4	5	Mexico mission, 1944-1952
4	6	Philippine mission, correspondence/reports, 1940-1952
4	7	Evangelical Medical School, planning papers, 1947-1952
4	8	Mission minutes, planning correspondence, background papers, 1952-1956
4	9	Cebu Hospital, planning correspondence, 1949-1952
4	10	Syria-Lebanon mission (Lebanon), Kennedy Memorial Hospital, 1949-1952

		SERIES 8: GENERAL SUBJECTS, 1924-1961

4	11	Adoption of children, 1940-1941
4	12	American Relief for Korea, 1951-1953
4	13	CMC (Christian Medical Council for Overseas Work) correspondence, 1942, 1946-1952
4	14	Correspondence of Drs. Douglas, Dodd, Forman, 1948-1958
4	15	Minutes (executive committee), reports, background papers, 1940-1956
4	16	Church of the Covenant (Cleveland), 1945-1952
4	17	Contraception, 1949-1951
4	18	Cooperating Board for Christian Education in Chosen, 1953-1956
4	19	Draft deferment efforts, 1950-1952
4	20	Foreign Missions Conference of Morth America, Committee on Missionary Personnel, 1945-1949
4	21	Federal Council of Churches, Commission on Religion and Health, 1945-1950
4	22	Leprosy Missions, 1951-1953
4	23	Methodist Board, Drs. Dodd, Morris Patty correspondence, 1948-1950
4	24	Missionary Medical/Dental Licensure, 1939-1949
4	25	Pennsylvania Medical Missionary Society, 1933-1951
4	26	Presbyterian Hospital, New York, 1921, 1927-1959
4	27	Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, 1924-1952
4	28	Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, 1926-1929
4	29	Presbyterian Ministers' Fund, 1938-1947

		SERIES 9: MEDICAL EDUCATION/LITERATURE/MEDICAL CONFERENCES, 1925-1960

5	1	Post-graduate study for Doctors, 1941-1952
5	2	Post-graduate study for Nurses, 1925-1951
5	3	Nursing education--correspondence, 1934-1952
5	4	Iran, 1939-1949
5	5	Frontier Nursing Service (KY) midwifery, 1932-1952
5	6-7	Medical literature, correspondence with field (requests), 1953-1960
5	8	Madras Conference on Medical Work, papers, 1938 (incomplete)
5	9	Outgoing missionary conference, planning correspondence, 1952
5	10	Medical recruits meeting (Philadelphia), planning correspondence, 1952
5	11-12	CMC Annual Conference on Medical Missions, 1953-1959

		SERIES 10: SANITARIA/MISSIONARY RETREAT, 1921-1961

5	13	Sanitaria (US), 1921-1949
5	14	Rest/Convalescent homes (US), 1923-1945
5	15	Mountain Rest (Lithia, MA), correspondence/background and financial papers, 1948-1953
5	16	Mountain Rest, correspondence, background papers regarding administration, 1953-1961
5	17	Mountain Rest, Dodd-Alden Clark (International Medical Missionary Society), correspondence, 1949-1958

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Guide to the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations Medical Department Records

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