Willamette University College of Medicine
Encyclopedia
Willamette University College of Medicine is a former school of medicine that was part of Willamette University
. Founded in 1867 as the first medical school in Oregon
, the school relocated between Portland
and the main university campus in Salem
several times. Eventually the school was merged with the University of Oregon
’s medical school in Portland in 1913. That school later became Oregon Health & Science University
.
. University president Joseph H. Wythe was one of the people credited with starting the school, but left due to internal faculty strife. Wythe taught several classes as well, including hygiene and microscopy at the medical school. Wythe had attended Philadelphia College of Medicine and graduated in 1850 before serving in the Civil War
. In 1874, the school had 14 students and 11 professors. Women were attending the school of medicine by 1877. At this time the department was located in Waller Hall
, then named University Hall.
In 1880 the College of Medicine moved to Portland, but returned to the Salem campus in 1895 in a dispute over privileges at the hospital
. The school returned to Waller Hall, and also used other buildings in the area. Then in 1906 the school moved into a new building
on the northwest section of the campus. By 1909 the school had an enrollment of 29 and a staff of 16. At that time entering students were not required to have even completed high school.
on the campus of Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1919 the school would re-locate to Marquam Hill in southwest Portland where the school still stands as OHSU.
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
. Founded in 1867 as the first medical school in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, the school relocated between Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and the main university campus in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
several times. Eventually the school was merged with the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
’s medical school in Portland in 1913. That school later became Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University is a public university in Oregon with a main campus, including two hospitals, in Portland and a smaller campus in Hillsboro...
.
History
In 1867, the College of Medicine was officially organized at Willamette. The school opened with 24 students led by Dr. Horace Carpenter. For two years prior the school had been teaching medicineMedicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. University president Joseph H. Wythe was one of the people credited with starting the school, but left due to internal faculty strife. Wythe taught several classes as well, including hygiene and microscopy at the medical school. Wythe had attended Philadelphia College of Medicine and graduated in 1850 before serving in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In 1874, the school had 14 students and 11 professors. Women were attending the school of medicine by 1877. At this time the department was located in Waller Hall
Waller Hall
Waller Hall is the oldest building on the campus of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, United States. Built in 1867 as University Hall, the five-story, red-brick structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975...
, then named University Hall.
In 1880 the College of Medicine moved to Portland, but returned to the Salem campus in 1895 in a dispute over privileges at the hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
. The school returned to Waller Hall, and also used other buildings in the area. Then in 1906 the school moved into a new building
Art Building (Willamette University)
The Art Building is an academic hall at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, United States. Built in 1905 for the Willamette University College of Medicine, it is the third oldest building on campus after Waller Hall and Gatke Hall...
on the northwest section of the campus. By 1909 the school had an enrollment of 29 and a staff of 16. At that time entering students were not required to have even completed high school.
Merger
On September 1, 1913, the College of Medicine officially merged with the University of Oregon’s medical school. Willamette’s faculty retired and the 40 students transferred to Oregon’s medical campus. At that time the University of Oregon’s school was located in northwest Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
on the campus of Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1919 the school would re-locate to Marquam Hill in southwest Portland where the school still stands as OHSU.
Alumni and faculty
- George H. BurnettGeorge H. BurnettGeorge Henry Burnett was an American attorney and judge in the state of Oregon. He was the 21st Chief Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court serving twice as chief first in 1921 to 1923, and then in 1927 when he died in office...
, professor. - William A Cusick, graduated in 1867.
- Melvin Clark GeorgeMelvin Clark GeorgeMelvin Clark George was a U.S. Representative from Oregon.-Early life:He was born near Caldwell, Ohio to Presley and Mahala Nickerson George. He moved with his parents over the Oregon Trail in 1851 and settled on a homestead near Lebanon in Linn County, Oregon...
, professor. - Rodney GlisanRodney GlisanRodney Glisan was a U.S. medical doctor who served on the frontier in the United States Army and was well known as a medical authority in the 19th century....
, professor. - Daniel M. Jones, graduated in 1867.
- Harry LaneHarry LaneHarry Lane was an American physician and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he worked as the head of the state insane asylum before entering local politics and served as mayor of Portland...
(1855-1917), graduated in 1878. - John L. Martin, graduated in 1867.
- John H. MitchellJohn H. MitchellJohn Hipple Mitchell, also known as John Mitchell Hipple, John H. Mitchell, or J. H. Mitchell was a controversial American lawyer and politician, who served as a Republican United States Senator from Oregon on three occasions between 1872 and 1905...
(1835-1905), professor of medical jurisprudence. - Dr. William B. Morse (1866-1944), graduated in 1891.
- Orlando PlummerOrlando PlummerOrlando Pleasant Shields Plummer was an American physician and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of Pennsylvania, he started practicing medicine in Illinois before moving to Portland, Oregon. In Oregon, he continued his medical work as well as working for several telegraph companies...
(1836-1913), professor and dean. - Levi L. RowlandLevi L. RowlandLevi Lindsey Rowland was an American educator and physician in the state of Oregon. A native of Tennessee, he served as the Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction, president of what became Western Oregon University, and as the Superintendent of Oregon’s insane asylum, now the Oregon State...
(1831-1908), alumni, professor, and dean. - Loyal B. StearnsLoyal B. StearnsLoyal B. Stearns was an American politician, attorney, and jurist in Oregon. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Oregon, he became a lawyer and practiced in Portland. A Republican, he was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives and later a judge for several courts.-Early life:Loyal Stearns...
(1853-1936), alumni - Dr. B.L. Steeves (1868-1933), alumni.