Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections

Archival Inventory

4 boxes, 9 volumes (12.5 linear feet)

Historical Sketch:
From 1837 to 1854, the medical needs of the students were taken care of by local doctors. In 1854, Dr. Sophronia Fletcher was appointed as the school's first resident physician as a result of the recommendation of the Sanitary Committee to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Joseph Kitteredge served from 1856-60. The trustees then recommended that a "thoroughly educated and acceptable Female physician" be appointed. Since then, all the resident physicians have been women.

Description of Records:
The Health Services records contain articles and pamphlets dated from 1990-1996, and the journals of S.D. Brooks, M.D. from 1841 to 1854. There are also annual reports from the years 1854, 1860-62, 1867, 1870-78, 1880-87, 1892-93, 1918-19, 1931-38, 1940-68, and 1986-91. These reports document staff changes and updates, equipment purchases, and statistics of visits and diagnoses. The records also include psychiatrist's annual reports from the years 1928-29, 1932-36, 1939-58. These reports record statistics on student visits to the psychiatrists, what the problems were and analysis. There is also a report to the Trustees from 1956 and correspondence related to it. There are financial records from 1875, medical records volumes of the classes 1893-1971. Also included are copies of photographs taken in the late 1890's of the college physician's office.

Cite as: Health Services Records, Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, MA.

Access Restrictions: Records restricted to use by office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.