St. Louis Society of Internal Medicine

The St. Louis Society for Internal Medicine was organized in 1908 by eight physicians who served as professors and instructors at the Washington University School of Medicine. The charter members were Gustav Baumgarten, Washington E. Fischel, Elsworth Smith, John C. Salter, Justin Steer, Louis M. Warfield, Walter Baumgarten, and Robert Luedeking. These gentlemen shared a common interest in furthering and improving the quality of medical education. They founded the society "to foster, encourage, and promote the science of medicine in all its branches, but not for pecuniary profit or gain." The founders' goal was to provide a continuous forum for academic discourse in matters pertaining to internal medicine. In 2008, members celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the society. The society's focus continues to be on emphasizing education and excellence in the field of internal medicine within the St. Louis medical community. Source: Davidson, Harriet A. The St. Louis Society of Internal Medicine, 1908-2008.