Medical Society of Delaware Academic Channel
The Medical Society of Delaware is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the United States and rich in history. It was founded in 1776 and incorporated on February 3, 1789, only 12 days after President Washington took his oath of office.
James Tilton, MD (1745-1822) was a Founding Father and the first President of the Medical Society of Delaware. He became a crusader for sanitation and established the first isolation wards for contagious diseases, observations learned while serving as Regimental Surgeon during the Revolutionary War and afterwards in the War of 1812. In 1813, Dr. Tilton was appointed the first Surgeon General of the U.S. We are quite proud of our roots and we continue making strides with the encouragement and support we provide to our members who are doing amazing things to advance health care.
The Mission Statement of the Medical Society of Delaware is to guide, serve, and support Delaware physicians, promoting the practice and profession of medicine to enhance the health of our communities.
Our Founding Fathers knew the value of education, which was the basis for establishing the Medical Society of Delaware. Each year we hold our Annual Meeting which includes an education program on the most timely topics in health care.
In 1909 our printed publication, the Delaware Medical Journal, was established. The Journal's original purpose was to record the events of the annual meetings of the Society and has served as a source of medical education over the ensuing years. In 2021 a decision was made to transition the Delaware Medical Journal from a print publication to utilizing an online open access model of publishing, being in the best interest of the organization, its members, and as we consider the ability to access knowledge now and in to the future.
The goals and objectives of the Medical Society of Delaware and for this Academic Channel are to promote the science and the art of medicine and to uphold the ideals and the ethical principles of the medical profession. The continuing education of physicians was one of the major reasons for the founding of the Society. The ultimate goal is the best possible care for patients through the continuously updated competence of physicians.
Although much has changed in the medical profession, the principle upon which this Society of physicians was founded has remained steadfast: to further the medical profession in such a way that the health and well-being of the citizens of Delaware can be enhanced.
The Medical Society of Delaware continues its support of physicians in their vigor and spirit to advance the profession, which was the basis for its creation.
