The University opened its first infirmary in 1858. Beginning in 1890, members of the medical faculty were responsible for treating students there. The infirmary, however, had no full-time physician until 1919, when the first University Physician was appointed. The name infirmary continued to be used informally to designate the building; but as early as 1938, the University Physician's annual report referred to the entity as the University Health Service. By the late 1940s, that name had changed to Student Health Service. Originally, the University Physician reported to the President, then later to the Chancellor, of the University. With the creation of the Division of Student Affairs in 1954, the University Physician began reporting to the head of that division, the Dean of Student Affairs (later Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs). In 1959, the University Physician's title was changed to Director of the Student Health Service.
From the description of Records of the Student Health Service, 1932-1998 (bulk 1950-1994). WorldCat record id: 38032865
The first infirmary was, appropriately, the last building erected by the university before the Civil War. Completed about 1858, this two-room structure, called the Retreat, was located behind the present Episcopal Church on Franklin Street. Prior to that time, sick students remained in their rooms to be nursed by friends. If the illness was severe, the student's mother or a nurse might be permitted to stay in an adjoining room, or the student and his caretaker might be moved to a hotel.
In 1891 students began paying an annual infirmary fee of five dollars, which entitled them to medical attention at no further charge. With income from these fees and with the financial help of Harry S. Lake, a student from New York City, the university built a new three-room infirmary in 1895. This second infirmary was located near the present site of the Hill Hall Auditorium. It was run by Dr. Richard H. Whitehead, who came to the university in 1890 as the first dean of the School of Medicine. Dr. Charles S. Mangum also attended patients here.
The third infirmary, later named Abernethy Hall, was erected in 1907 on South Columbia Street for a cost of $21,000. The new infirmary accommodated twenty patients and contained a modernly equipped operating room. Drs. Charles S. Mangum, Isaac H. Manning, and William DeBernier MacNider cared for patients on a rotating basis during the academic year; and Dr. E. A. Abernethy treated summer school patients until he left to serve in World War I. In 1920, after his return, the Board of Trustees elected him the first university physician, placing him in sole charge of the infirmary. The desire for such a position arose from concern over the influenza epidemic of 1918-1919. In addition, the large number of North Carolinians rejected by the Draft Board had called attention to the inadequacies of local health care. At this time, too, the university took steps to improve its athletic programs, intramural sports, and sanitation.
In October 1945 the infirmary moved into facilities vacated by the Navy Pre-Flight School Hospital, which also left behind most of its equipment. In 1952, the new North Carolina Memorial Hospital absorbed the infirmary building, and the infirmary traded one floor of its space for easy access to hospital staff and facilities. In 1971 the Student Health Service was allotted more space in the hospital. In the late 1970s, after nearly two decades of requests for new quarters, construction began on the James A. Taylor Student Health Service Building.
The name infirmary continued to be used informally to designate the building; but as early as 1938, the university physician's annual report referred to the entity as the University Health Service. By the late 1940s, that name had changed to Student Health Service. Prior to the creation of the Consolidated University of North Carolina in 1932, the university physician reported to the president of the university; after 1932 he reported to the chancellor. When the Division of Student Affairs was created on 1 July 1954, the Student Health Service became a part of that division, reporting to the dean (later the vice chancellor) of student affairs.
Individuals who served as University Physician include:
1919
1933
Eric Alonzo Abernethy
1933
Foy Roberson, Interim
1933
1940
Walter Reece Berryhill
1941
1959
Edward McGowan Hedgpeth
Those who have held the title Director of the Student Health Service are:
1959
1971
Edward McGowan Hedgpeth
1971
1981
James Alexander Taylor
1981
1998
Judith R. Cowan
July 1998
January 1999
Dean L. Bresciani, Interim
1999
J. Robert Wirag
From the guide to the Student Health Service of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records, 1932-1998 (bulk 1950-1994), (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives.)
