The first permanent
medical organization in South Carolina was the Medical
Society of South Carolina, founded in Charleston in 1789,
and intended to be a statewide body. Over the years this
Society adopted fee bills, acted as a licensing board,
organized and operated a medical college, and sponsored
a medical journal. The difficulties of travel made attendance
at Charleston meetings somewhat impractical. In 1848,
this Society called a convention of medical leaders of
the state, which resulted in the formation of the South
Carolina Medical Association.
The Association continued its activities
until the outbreak of the Civil War, then became dormant
until May of 1869, gradually resuming its programs and
its membership over some years. In 1878, it was designated
as the State Board of Health. The number of county medical
societies grew and the structure of activities of the
state Association was enlarged considerably.
In 1905, a monthly medical journal was
established. Under a series of editors it has continued
uninterrupted to the present time. In 1921, the State
Hospital Association was promoted by the Medical Association,
and in 1923, the Association established a division of
public relations, which continues to function.
In recent years both the size and activities
of the Association have increased considerably. Forty
constituent county societies and the component unit on
Interns and Residents and Student Section provide an
individual membership of approximately 7,000 to the organization.
Today, 35 county and 28 specialty medical societies and
the component units for house staff and students provide
the membership for the statewide organization. |
Past Presidents |