Memorial University and the Medical School established a Chair for the History of Medicine in 1978 with the appointment of the first John Clinch Professor of the History of Medicine.  Dr. K. B. Roberts was the first to hold this position, which he held until 1988. Next, Dr. J. K. Crellin held this position until 2003. Then in 2004 the title of the position changed to Professor of Medical Humanities and History of Medicine. Dr. J. T. H. Connor is the third (and current), person to hold this position, coming to Memorial University in November 2004.

In 1979, the first academic course about medical history, called Medical Science and Responsibility in Health Care, was offered at Memorial University. The lectures in this course were open to the university community.

The History of Medicine at the Medical School of Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1969-1988
(this link will open in a new window)

Dr. Brian Payton assembled the book, The History of Medicine at the Medical School of Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1969-1988, which details how the History of Medicine program began and progressed at the Medical School. Several pages have been digitized, which show the development of the John Clinch Professorship. Blank pages were not digitized.

Copyright
Permission to reproduce several pages from the book, The History of Medicine at the Medical School of Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1969-1988, for this exhibit was granted by the following source:
Material reprinted with the express permission of: Dr. Brian Payton. 

History of Medicine Collection at the H.S.C. Library
(this link will open in a new window)

Doug Brophy interviewed Dr. K. B. Roberts on Brophy’s Corner, a half hour CBC program in 1980.  Dr. Roberts, the first John Clinch Professor of the History of Medicine at Memorial University, was instrumental in establishing the Health Sciences Library. His particular interest in the History of Medicine led him to establish a special collection of books in this area.  In the video, Dr. Roberts talks about the Historical Collection, which was collected from various locations in the Health Sciences Library (HSL) and placed in its own room, The K. B. Roberts Historical Collection (HSL), where it remains to this day.

Copyright
Permission to reproduce a CBC episode of Brophy’s Corner, 1980 was granted by the following source:
Material reprinted with the express permission of: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Donna Wicks (Program Manager, CBC Television).

Biographical Sketch: Dr. K. B. Roberts