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American Association for the History of Medicine

Osler Medal Essay Contest, 1997. The William Osler Medal of the American Association for the History of Medicine is awarded annually for the best unpublished essay on a medico-historical topic written by a student enrolled in a school of medicine or of osteopathy in the United States or Canada. All students who are candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy or are graduates of the class of 1996 are eligible. The essay must have been written while the entrant was a student in good standing. Students who are currently enrolled, or have been enrolled, in graduate studies in history, the history of science, or the history of medicine are not eligible for the competition.

This medal, first awarded in 1942, commemorates Sir William Osler, who stimulated an interest in the humanities among medical students and physicians. The writer of the winning essay will be invited to attend the 1997 meeting of the Association, to be held from 3–6 April in Williamsburg, Virginia, where the medal will be conferred. Reasonable travel expenses will be defrayed. Essays may pertain either to the historical development of a contemporary medical problem or to a topic within the health sciences related to a discrete period of the past, and should demonstrate either original research or an unusual appreciation and understanding of the problems discussed. The essay must be entirely the work of one contestant, and of a maximum length of ten thousand words (including endnotes).

The required contest submission form (for substantiation of student status) and rules must be obtained from the Osler Medal Committee chair: Steven C. Martin, M.D., Associate Chief of Medicine, Room 3 West 12, Jacobi Medical Center, Pelham Parkway and Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461 (tel.: 718-918-7769; e-mail: smartin@aecom.yu.edu). Entries must be postmarked no later than 1 February 1997.

Shryock Medal Essay Contest, 1997. Graduate students in the United States and Canada are invited to enter the Shryock Medal Essay Contest. The medal honors Richard Harrison Shryock (1893–1972), a pioneer among historians interested in the history of medicine. The award is given for an outstanding, unpublished essay on any topic in the history of medicine. The essay must be the result of original research or show an unusual appreciation and understanding of problems in the history of medicine. The winner will be invited to attend the 1997 meeting of the Association from 3–6 April in Williamsburg, Virginia, where the medal will be conferred. Reasonable travel expenses for the winner will be defrayed. Students must be enrolled in a graduate program other than medical [End Page 497] school at the time of submission (those students currently eligible for the Association’s Osler Medal competition for medical students are not eligible for the Shryock Medal).

Interested students must obtain guidelines and an application form from the Shryock Medal Committee chair: John M. Eyler, Ph.D., Department of History of Medicine, 511 Diehl Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (tel.: 612-624-5921; e-mail: eyler001@maroon.tc.umn.edu).

Please obtain these materials early. Essays must be postmarked no later than 1 February 1997.

National and International News

The Bakken Library and Museum. The Bakken offers visiting research fellowships to facilitate research in its collection of books, journals, manuscripts, prints, and instruments. The Bakken’s collections focus on the history of electricity and magnetism and their applications in the life sciences and medicine. Related materials include holdings devoted to mesmerism and animal magnetism, nineteenth-century ephemera concerning alternative electromedical therapies, miscellaneous scientists’ letters, and trade catalogues. The instruments include electrostatic generators, magneto-electric generators, induction coils, physiological instruments, recording devices, and accessories. The fellowship is a maximum of $1,300 and is to be used for travel, subsistence, and other direct costs of conducting research at The Bakken. Deadline for applications: 3 March 1997. For application guidelines and further information, contact: David J. Rhees, Executive Director, The Bakken Library and Museum, 3537 Zenith Avenue So., Minneapolis, MN 55416 (tel.: 612-927-6508; fax: 612-927-7265).

The Bakken’s research fellowships for 1996 have been...

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