On December 12, 1846, a number of city medical practitioners met at the Lyceum of Natural History to discuss ways “to promote harmony and means of mutual improvement” among members of the medical profession. Thus, the first meeting of The New York Academy of Medicine was held.

Three weeks later, another meeting was convened with the goal of creating a constitution and bylaws. At this meeting on January 6, 1847, a constitution and organization bylaws were adopted, and the name, “The New York Academy of Medicine”, was officially selected. John Stearns, M.D., was selected as the Academy’s first president. Since that time, The New York Academy of Medicine has worked tirelessly to enhance the health of the public. Listed below are some of the highlights from the Academy’s 159-year history.

Supports laws requiring the registration of births, deaths, and marriages

Publishes first issue of the Bulletin of The New York Academy of Medicine, known today as the Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of The New York Academy of Medicine, a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal

Instrumental in passing state law to prevent the adulteration of milk and prevent the traffic in impure and unwholesome milk

Leads successful campaign to establish the Metropolitan Board of Health, known today as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Moves into its first home at 12 West 31st Street

Votes to admit the public to its library, keeping daily hours—today, the Academy Library is the only medical and health library in New York City open to the public without charge

Moves into its second home at 17-21 West 43rd Street

Holds its first series of lectures on public health matters, starting with pneumonia and cerebro-spinal meningitis

Promotes legislation converting the coroner from an elected office to one led by a physician trained in pathology, today’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Moves into its third and current home at 1216 Fifth Avenue, built with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation

Establishes the Rare Book and History of Medicine Collections of The New York Academy of Medicine

Endorses the right of the public to receive physician counseling on contraception

Issues a groundbreaking report about maternal mortality, leading to improvements in obstetrical care and maternal health

Inaugurates "Radio Hour" featuring addresses delivered by Academy Fellows every week to dispense medical information

Assists in the war effort by housing a Red Cross Central Station to take blood that was then sent to England

Urges passage of legislation to allow abortions to protect the health of the mother

Issues report recommending fluoridation of New York City’s water supply

Leads the establishment of the Community Blood Council

Provides expert testimony on safety of fluoridation that persuades the mayor to endorse fluoridation of New York City’s water supply

Recommends that all levels of government assure the equal opportunity for all to obtain high- quality, comprehensive healthcare

Recommends the development of methadone management for heroine addiction

Academy Library enters a long-standing relationship under contract with the National Library of Medicine as the Regional Medical Library for the Middle Atlantic Region

Issues Measures to Prolong Life in Terminal Illness, which urges physicians to recognize there is no ethical requirement to provide heroic measures to prolong life in the event of a terminal illness

Implements a comprehensive health education program in New York City public schools, still in existence today

Opens the Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preserving historical books and papers

Recommends a community service requirement for all medical students

Adopts a new governance structure in which Jeremiah A. Barondess, M.D., is selected as the Academy’s first full-time president

Establishes strong research focus on health problems associated with HIV/AIDS—this work continues today in the Division of Health Policy

Establishes the Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies which aims to increase knowledge of urban health problems, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, teenage pregnancy, and violence

Establishes a new Division of Public Health, which concentrates on research and policy dealing with the health of populations and the importance of collaboration between medicine and public health

Creates coalition of 400,000 doctors to address handgun injury as a public health issue

First to assess the mental health, substance use, and respiratory health impact of the September 11th terrorist attacks

Launches initiative to address shortage of caregivers for the growing elderly population

Warns that terrorism response plans will not protect many Americans, drawing the attention of Congress, the Office of Homeland Security, and state and local leaders

Dramatically increases the number of asthmatic children receiving proper care, by offering asthma education and screening to low-income parents at New York City preschools and community centers

Devises a way to rapidly immunize hard-to-reach populations like the homeless and undocumented immigrants, in order to minimize the spread of disease during an epidemic or after a bioterrorist attack