South Carolina Medical Association

The South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) was established when a group of medical leaders of the state, primarily from the Medical Society of South Carolina, called a convention in Columbia on February 14, 1848, resulting in the formation of the South Carolina Medical Association. Based in principle on the newly organized American Medical Association, the SCMA served the entire state as a resource to physicians in the areas of practice management, education, licensing, and legislative influence, among others. The association continued its activities until the outbreak of the Civil War, when it became dormant until May 1869 when a reorganizational meeting was held in Charleston; from that point forward membership gradually increased. In 1878 an act of the general assembly designated the SCMA as the newly established State Board of Health. In 1905 the Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association, a monthly medical journal was established. Forty constituent county societies and the component unit on Interns and Residents and Student Section provide an individual membership of approximately 7,000 to the organization. In 2007, 35 county and 28 specialty medical societies and the component units for house staff and students provide the membership for the statewide organization.