"The genesis of this organization is without doubt attributable to the efforts of Drs. Ivor Clark, E. Harlan Wilson and Jonathan Forman. In 1928 these keen physicians perceived the need for voluntary continuing education-some fifty years before further study was a legislative mandate. The avowed purpose for such a club was to keep abreast on the scientific information burgeoning in all areas of medical endeavor. The unique format was probably patterned after sophisticated library review clubs of Boston and a few operating clubs of similar nature in the United States. Some ten or twelve colleagues, representing various disciplines, were carefully selected. They first met in the tap room of the Chittenden Hotel, which stood at the corner of High and Spring Streets.
The composition of the membership was derived not only from the various special areas of endeavor but from physicians representing the staffs of community hospitals whose pervading philosophy was that of teaching and education. Such a stance dated to the 1848 founding of Starling Medical College, coupled with St. Francis Hospital located on East State Street (where Grant Hospital now stands). This entity persisted until 1907. A segment of the faculty left temporarily in 1874. They operated as the Columbus Medical College and used Mt. Carmel Hospital for teaching but reunited with Starling in 1892. During this same year, Ohio Medical University was founded on North Park Street, opposite Goodale Park. In 1907, Starling Medical College and Ohio Medical University merged as the Starling-Ohio medical College and used St. Francis, Protestant-White Cross (now Riverside), and Mt. Carmel Hospitals for clinical instruction.
In 1913, the Trustees of the Ohio State University authorized a college of medicine. The Starling-Ohio facility deeded its assets to the University, absorbed a Homeopathic (Pulte) School operating at 10th and Neil Avenues and became The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1914. Instruction continued at Starling-Ohio until the completion of Hamilton hall in 1925. The Starling Loving Hospital and Kinsman hall were occupied in 1924. In 1916, Columbus Children's Hospital became affiliated. St. Francis Hospital persisted as a hallowed teaching arm until 1955.
In 1912, Dr. Ivor Clark came to Columbus to enter the practice of Ophthalmology with his uncle. He met Dr. Forman, a 1913 graduate of Starling-Ohio Medical College and they roomed together on East State Street. (For $4.50/week!). Frequent discussions of medical subjects were conducted in the local saloons where a free smorgasbord was available. Their paths diverged due to World War I, practice and family commitments, etc. only to be reunited with the founding of the Medical Review Club in 1928. However, their friendship remained constant for the next sixty years.
The original and early members of the Medical Review Club represented these geographic, yet allied, institutions by design. They are in part: Orville Baldwin (Pediatrics) Children's Hospital; Ivor Clark (Ophthalmology) Mt. Carmel Hospital, Jonathan Forman (Allergy) OSU and Grant Hospitals, Carl Hyer (Medicine) Mt. Carmel Hospital, Ray Kissane (Cardiology) White Cross Hospital, Herman Koerner (Obstetrics) OSU and Mt. Carmel Hospitals, Philip Reel (Gynecology) OSU and Mt. Carmel Hospitals, Edwin Stedem (Surgery) Mt. Carmel Hospital, William Taylor (Urology) OSU Hospital, F.C. Wagenhals (Neurology) OSU Hospital, Herbert V. Weirauk (Diagnostic Radiology) White Cross Hospital, James H. Warren (Medicine) Grant Hospital and E. Harlan Wilson (Orthopedic Surgery) Children's and Mt. Carmel Hospitals. Charles A. Doan (Hematology) was elected a member shortly after his arrival in Columbus in 1930 and Emerich VonHaam (Pathology) joined after his faculty appointment at OSU in 1937,
The early meeting places varied from the Neil House Hotel to the Seneca Hotel but The Columbus Club was soon selected and has remained a permanent site for many pleasant dinner memories. The original manager was Harry Ruble, replaced by Harvey Rosetti in 1950.
In addition to practice and teaching commitments, a great many of the Medical Review members did and have continued to participate in the affairs of organized medicine on a local, state and national basis.
The early meetings were delightfully relaxed with (alas) no written records available. Critique of each paper was thorough as is the custom today. The membership remained relatively stable, meeting from October through June with a spring outing as the final meeting of the year. Election of officers was quite informal and the "honor" usually befell those who failed to attend the picnic. Some members who must have been elected prior to or around the period of World War II were John E. Brown, Jr., (Pediatrics), Richard Wallace (General Medicine), Albert Frost (Ophthalmology), Russell Means (Otorhinolaryngology), George Collins (Anesthesia), Huston Fulton (Radiology) and C.C. Sherburne (Cardiology).
Following the conflict (World War II) expansion up to twenty members occurred and some of those elected were Henry Lacey (Orthopedics), Robert Zollinger (Surgery), Allen Barnes (Ob-Gyn), Karl Klassen (Thoracic Surgery) and Ralph Patterson (Psychiatry).
Until the first written minutes that were available, (probably around 1960-assumption by current reporter 1997) six of the early members had been lost to death. (See membership roster).
The monthly presentations have remained informative, sophisticated and have represented the diversified fields as originally intended. Stimulating intellectual discussion and camaraderie have remained as integral components of the organization. Around 1960, the club expanded to thirty members and finally adopted a written constitution – chiefly because nobody could recall precisely how many negative votes were needed to eliminate a candidate. This document has been revised to its present form. The Medical Review Club also supported the Physician's Exhibit at COSI with Dr. Forman narrating the descriptive tape.
At times, the presentations have varied form strictly scientific medical subjects to those of medical socio-economics and historical subjects but of great depth. Guest lecturers have on occasion graced the podium.
Other traditions from early days are worthy of comment. The annual picnic persists (as of 1978) as a popular function with The Columbus Club cuisine as its highlight. For many years, Dr. Fulton's Farm on Deer Creek was favored but other sites utilized have been Dr. LeFever's cabin, Dr. Patterson's tree farm, Malabar Farm, Dr. Wallace's Hideaway Hills cottage, Wall Hollow and Dr. Kilman's Heart Acres.
The winter gala, in honor of our ladies, has remained as an event to be anticipated. In addition to the Columbus Club, the Rocky Fork Hunt Club, The Scioto Country Club and the Columbus Country Club have been enjoyed. The current dinner-dance at the unique Muirfield Club was appreciated by all.
Three Father-Son relationships are recorded: namely Samuel G. Clark, Jack N. Taylor and James V. Warren. All are sons of illustrious original members.
What then are the factors leading to the success of such an organization, now in its golden anniversary year? Surely success must be admitted, since several other organizations are (now) operating with the same format.
The pioneers were urbane, articulate, discriminating gentlemen whose primary aim was excellence. Their perspicacity coupled with courteous critique fostered enlightment. In their careers, they exhibited appropriate investigation, sound clinical judgments and administrative competence. All of these qualities were balanced with a jocular spirit and a sound appreciation for the humorous.
Early application of the multidiscipline approach to learning was indeed a unique innovation, routine now in continuing medical education. The founders accurately foresaw the need for this technique.
Careful attention to the geographic admixture of the membership certainly must be another factor contributing to continuance. The Medical Review Club has represented a forum wherein the academician and the clinician may exchange intellectual experience in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The teaching heritage of those several institutions mentioned above is to some degree, perpetuated by their representatives to this club. This fact would appear to exert a salutary effect on the local medical community, in general.
The physical meeting place itself must enhance overall interest. Consistent gathering in an elegant hall with excellent fare cannot help but exert a positive influence. The traditional social events merely augment this aspect of the enticement.
It is little wonder then, that those who framed the constitution suggested that candidates for election should be able to communicate the advances in his field, that he should possess integrity and above all, be a companionable dinner partner. As this club enters its second half century, those philosophies and purposes are being entrusted to another generation. They should be perpetuated."
