1854

Dr. John G. Westmoreland and thirteen other physicians form the Brotherhood of Physicians, the forerunner of the present Medical Association of Atlanta. A Code of Ethics and the first Fee Bill are published the same year and signed by fourteen members of the medical community.

John G. Westmoreland

1872

The association is renamed The Atlanta Medical and Surgical Union.

1973

The Atlanta Medical and Surgical Union is renamed the Atlanta Academy of Medicine.

1879

The Atlanta Academy of Medicine hosts the 30^th annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) with several societies from Georgia in attendance including the State Medical Society, Middle Georgia Medical Society, Atlanta Academy of Medicine, the Augusta Medical Society and the Thomas County Medical Society. By 1880, four Sisters of Mercy are instructed to open a hospital in Atlanta, which becomes Saint Joseph's Hospital.

Original Saint Joseph's Hospital

1885

The Atlanta Academy of Medicine is renamed the Atlanta Society of Medicine. The objective remains the same – to guard and protect the city from irregular medical treatment and medical imposters.

1905

The Atlanta Society of Medicine is reorganized and renamed the Fulton County Medical Society (FCMS).

1912

The Fulton County Medical Society opens a medical library in the Candler Building. The Atlanta College of Medicine and the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons merged in 1913 to become the Atlanta Medical College.

Atlanta Medical College, 1915

1917

Atlanta becomes Southeastern headquarters of the American Red Cross when the United States enters World War I. Volunteer medical units from Emory serve in Blois, France and physicians within the Emory unit later serve as presidents of the FCMS.

1919

The membership of FCMS continues to grow and Atlanta physicians turn their thoughts to local issues. The FCMS decides to fight the extension of chiropractic practices and individuals are selected to work with state legislature on a bill that is later defeated. Major Moffett presents a paper to the Society on influenzas and pneumonia, recommending all citizens receive the flu vaccine. The Society endorses this idea and recommends to the public that the vaccine be given.

1920

Dr. Elmore C. Thrash makes a motion to Society membership that the organization build its own home.

1922

38 Prescott Street is purchased for FCMS home and titled ‘The Academy of Medicine’.

1923

The Society is active in writing to the mayor and city council concerning the inadequacy of medical and dental examinations for grade and high school children, resulting in the Society proposing that the school system hire additional physicians and dentists. The city agrees. The society also votes to invite the spouses of physicians to organize an auxiliary whose initial project is to equip the kitchen in the Academy. Mrs. J.N. Brawner serves as first president of the new auxiliary.

Mrs. James N. (Nellie) Brawner, Sr.

1926

FCMS begins initiating programs that would have a long-term effect on the organization and Atlanta’s health care – including an all-night pharmacy.

1927

The first issues of the society publication are issued. They are titled the Bulletin and become the forerunner of Atlanta Medicine.

1935

State and national legislation occupy a great deal of the Society’s time and effort: FCMS advocates for development of state highway patrol to decrease vehicular deaths, endorses mandatory immunizations of school children against smallpox and diphtheria, and discusses establishing a four-day graduate medical instruction program.

1938

The proposed graduate medical instruction program is called Dixie Graduate Medial Assembly and later renamed Atlanta Post-Graduate Medical Assembly. The first meeting is held at Biltmore Hotel and includes speakers on surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, medicine and radiology.

1941

FCMS board decides to proceed with building a new home, a Greek revival style building designed by R. Kennan Perry with the help of Philip Shutze.

Academy of Medicine, 1941

1941

Twenty members join the military in World War II within 60 days of the onset of the war. By six months later 75 members are in uniform. The Society actively collects surgical instruments and medical supplies to be sent to England. One year after Pearl Harbor, 177 FCMS members are in uniform.

1946

FCMS grows to 539 members after the war and turns its interest toward the community instead of urgencies generated by the war. The Academy auditorium was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Abner Calhoun on April 4th, 1946.

The Academy of Medicine Auditorium

1949

Society introduces a radio broadcast show that lasts five minutes and is hosted five days a week. The first episode deals with mental disorders. The program runs for seven months until it is canceled due to lack of funding.

1951

The Society works with a local telephone company to establish an emergency call service where patients are provided with names for three physicians in their neighborhood available for emergency care.

1955

The Society closes the medical library at the Academy due to not being able to afford a librarian.

1953

Dr. and Mrs. Carl C. Aven establish an annual award for doctors taking the most interest in civic affairs.

Carl C. Aven, M.D.

1962

All racial restrictions for membership are removed. Dr. Lee Shelton and Dr. Asa Yancey are admitted to the FCMS.

Asa G. Yancey, M.D.

Lee R. Shelton, M.D.

1964

FCMS hosts mass immunization program with over two million doses of polio vaccine provided to citizens. Proceeds from the event are given to the Atlanta community. The event is later titled ‘Success on Sunday’.

1971

FCMS changes its name to Medical Association of Metropolitan Atlanta to better reflect the geographic location of many of its members. Later that year the name ‘Metropolitan’ is deleted from the title.

1986

MAA is the first medical society in the country to sponsor a clinic for the homeless. President George Bush awards the MAA the “Thousand Points of Light” Award, one of only 29 projects so recognized.

William H. Whaley, M.D. (RIGHT) accepts "Thousand Points of Light" Award for Homeless Health Clinic from Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas Brady

1989

Dr. Teresa E. Clark is the first woman to be elected president of the Society.

2001

At the Medical Association of Georgia House of Delegates in May, a resolution to de-unify the state and country organizations passed by a narrow margin. Physicians are no longer required to join both organizations.

2002

Dr. Gary C. Richter is the first African-American male to be elected president of the Society.

Gary Richter, M.D.

2004

MAA continues to be involved in legislative issues. Over 100 physicians attend “House Call at the Capitol” in January to support legislation for tort reform.

2013

Dr. Lisa Perry-Gilkes is the first African-American female to be elected president of the Society.

Lisa Perry-Gilkes, M.D.

2018

MAA joins with a coalition of advocates to fight the distracted-driving epidemic. After educating the Georgia General Assembly, The Hands-Free Georgia Act is passed into law.

2018

MAA and Atlanta Medical Association host a joint meeting featuring Dr. David Satcher.