Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society
Encyclopedia
Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society (known informally as the Med Chi) is a society for medical practitioners in the North East of Scotland.
in 1789 by James McGrigor and James Robertson
, originally as a society of medical student
s, unhappy with teaching at the city's two universities (King's College
and Marischal College
). In 1811 it evolved into a postgraduate society. A Medical Hall, designed by Archibald Simpson
, was built on King Street in 1820, at a cost of more than £3,000. In 1967, the major portion of the library's old and rare medical books was sold, and later the Hall in King Street was sold. The proceeds enabled the Society to build a new Hall at Foresterhill, to which the Society moved in 1973.
Today membership is open to all doctors in the northeast of Scotland.
site where it has an office, meeting hall, Council Chamber and library. The Hall seats 80 people, whilst the Chamber is set out in board room style for smaller numbers. The society holds scientific meetings each month from October to June and makes its facilities available to book for meetings and courses. The formal programme is complemented by an informal calendar of events, including the Annual Founders' Dinner, Burns Supper and golf competition.
The society funds several competitive bursaries
for medical student electives.
The society has links with the Highland Medical Society and the Glasgow and Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Societies. Med-Chi sponsors the Scottish Medical Journal
and has published several books, including 'The Bicentennial History', 'The 250th Anniversary of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary', 'J J R McLeod, the Co-discoverer of Insulin', and 'City Hospital Aberdeen'.
when he was Director-General of the Medical Services. There is also a large collection of medical instruments and other artefacts dating back to the 18th century. The portraits, artefacts and documents form a unique record of local, national and international medical developments.
A book showing some of the portraits and medical artefacts in the possession of the society was published in 2007, in aid of the Matthew Hay Project
.
History
Med Chi was founded in AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
in 1789 by James McGrigor and James Robertson
James Robertson
James Robertson, Jim Robertson, Jimmy Robertson and Jamie Robertson is a name shared by the following individuals:-Public officials:...
, originally as a society of medical student
Medical Student
Medical Student may refer to:*Someone studying at medical school*Medical Student Newspaper, a UK publication...
s, unhappy with teaching at the city's two universities (King's College
King's College, Aberdeen
King's College in Old Aberdeen, Scotland is a formerly independent university founded in 1495 and an integral part of the University of Aberdeen...
and Marischal College
Marischal College
Marischal College is a building and former university in the centre of the city of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. The building is owned by the University of Aberdeen and used for ceremonial events...
). In 1811 it evolved into a postgraduate society. A Medical Hall, designed by Archibald Simpson
Archibald Simpson
Archibald Simpson was one of the major architects of Aberdeen, .Simpson's buildings have contributed significantly to the architecture of Aberdeen. His first commission was for St...
, was built on King Street in 1820, at a cost of more than £3,000. In 1967, the major portion of the library's old and rare medical books was sold, and later the Hall in King Street was sold. The proceeds enabled the Society to build a new Hall at Foresterhill, to which the Society moved in 1973.
Today membership is open to all doctors in the northeast of Scotland.
Activities
Med-Chi is based in premises on the ForesterhillForesterhill
Foresterhill is an area in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. It is the site of the city's main hospitals , as well as the medical school and medical science departments of the University of Aberdeen...
site where it has an office, meeting hall, Council Chamber and library. The Hall seats 80 people, whilst the Chamber is set out in board room style for smaller numbers. The society holds scientific meetings each month from October to June and makes its facilities available to book for meetings and courses. The formal programme is complemented by an informal calendar of events, including the Annual Founders' Dinner, Burns Supper and golf competition.
The society funds several competitive bursaries
Bursary
A bursary is strictly an office for a bursar and his or her staff in a school or college.In modern English usage, the term has become synonymous with "bursary award", a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education.According to The...
for medical student electives.
The society has links with the Highland Medical Society and the Glasgow and Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Societies. Med-Chi sponsors the Scottish Medical Journal
Scottish Medical Journal
The Scottish Medical Journal is a general medical journal, which publishes original research in all branches of medicine, review articles, history of medicine articles, and clinical memoranda...
and has published several books, including 'The Bicentennial History', 'The 250th Anniversary of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary', 'J J R McLeod, the Co-discoverer of Insulin', and 'City Hospital Aberdeen'.
Library
The library was established in 1791 and rapidly grew until the end of the 19th century. Its use then declined as it was replaced, for up-to-date information, by the University library. The collection of local material includes a complete set of society minutes from 1789 and 60 volumes of Sir James McGrigor's records of his military service, including his account of the Peninsula CampaignPeninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
when he was Director-General of the Medical Services. There is also a large collection of medical instruments and other artefacts dating back to the 18th century. The portraits, artefacts and documents form a unique record of local, national and international medical developments.
A book showing some of the portraits and medical artefacts in the possession of the society was published in 2007, in aid of the Matthew Hay Project
Suttie Centre
The Suttie Centre is a purpose-built training centre on the Foresterhill hospital campus in Aberdeen.-Facilities:The Suttie Centre for Teaching & Learning is a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian. Designed by Edinburgh architects Bennetts Associates, the £20 million,...
.