Three weeks later, another meeting was convened with the goal of creating a constitution and bylaws. At this meeting on January 6, 1847, a constitution and organization bylaws were adopted, and the name, “The New York Academy of Medicine”, was officially selected. John Stearns, M.D., was selected as the Academy’s first president. Since that time, The New York Academy of Medicine has worked tirelessly to enhance the health of the public. Listed below are some of the highlights from the Academy’s 159-year history.
1847
Supports laws requiring the registration of births, deaths, and marriages
1860
Publishes first issue of the Bulletin of The New York Academy of Medicine, known today as the Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of The New York Academy of Medicine, a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal
1862
Instrumental in passing state law to prevent the adulteration of milk and prevent the traffic in impure and unwholesome milk
1866
Leads successful campaign to establish the Metropolitan Board of Health, known today as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
1875
Moves into its first home at 12 West 31st Street
Votes to admit the public to its library, keeping daily hours—today, the Academy Library is the only medical and health library in New York City open to the public without charge
1890
Moves into its second home at 17-21 West 43rd Street
1905
Holds its first series of lectures on public health matters, starting with pneumonia and cerebro-spinal meningitis
1918
Promotes legislation converting the coroner from an elected office to one led by a physician trained in pathology, today’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
1926
Moves into its third and current home at 1216 Fifth Avenue, built with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation
1928
Establishes the Rare Book and History of Medicine Collections of The New York Academy of Medicine
1931
Endorses the right of the public to receive physician counseling on contraception
1933
Issues a groundbreaking report about maternal mortality, leading to improvements in obstetrical care and maternal health
Inaugurates "Radio Hour" featuring addresses delivered by Academy Fellows every week to dispense medical information
1940
Assists in the war effort by housing a Red Cross Central Station to take blood that was then sent to England
1942
Urges passage of legislation to allow abortions to protect the health of the mother
1951
Issues report recommending fluoridation of New York City’s water supply
1958
Leads the establishment of the Community Blood Council
1959
Provides expert testimony on safety of fluoridation that persuades the mayor to endorse fluoridation of New York City’s water supply
1965
Recommends that all levels of government assure the equal opportunity for all to obtain high- quality, comprehensive healthcare
1969
Recommends the development of methadone management for heroine addiction
Academy Library enters a long-standing relationship under contract with the National Library of Medicine as the Regional Medical Library for the Middle Atlantic Region
1972
Issues Measures to Prolong Life in Terminal Illness, which urges physicians to recognize there is no ethical requirement to provide heroic measures to prolong life in the event of a terminal illness
1979
Implements a comprehensive health education program in New York City public schools, still in existence today
1985
Opens the Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preserving historical books and papers
1988
Recommends a community service requirement for all medical students
1990
Adopts a new governance structure in which Jeremiah A. Barondess, M.D., is selected as the Academy’s first full-time president
1993
Establishes strong research focus on health problems associated with HIV/AIDS—this work continues today in the Division of Health Policy
1994
Establishes the Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies which aims to increase knowledge of urban health problems, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, teenage pregnancy, and violence
1995
Establishes a new Division of Public Health, which concentrates on research and policy dealing with the health of populations and the importance of collaboration between medicine and public health
1999
Creates coalition of 400,000 doctors to address handgun injury as a public health issue
2001
First to assess the mental health, substance use, and respiratory health impact of the September 11th terrorist attacks
2002
Launches initiative to address shortage of caregivers for the growing elderly population
2004
Warns that terrorism response plans will not protect many Americans, drawing the attention of Congress, the Office of Homeland Security, and state and local leaders
2005
Dramatically increases the number of asthmatic children receiving proper care, by offering asthma education and screening to low-income parents at New York City preschools and community centers
2006
Devises a way to rapidly immunize hard-to-reach populations like the homeless and undocumented immigrants, in order to minimize the spread of disease during an epidemic or after a bioterrorist attack
