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The Rhode Island Medical Society is the professional association of Rhode Island doctors in all medical specialties. The Society is dedicated to the improvement of the public health and the advancement of the profession of medicine through education, advocacy and member services. Members of the Rhode Island Medical Society include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants and medical students.
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History
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Founded in 1812, the Rhode Island Medical Society is the 8th oldest organization of its kind in the nation.
The History of the Rhode Island Medical Society and its Component Societies by various authors was published in 1966.
RIMS Seal over the door at 106 Francis Street, circa 1911. >
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Library
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For more than 160 years, the Rhode Island Medical Society maintained a library, which grew to about 50,000 volumes by 1980. The Society's former headquarters building at 106 Francis Street was built in 1911/12 as a library to house the collection, which resided in the Providence Public Library from 1900 to 1911 and at other locations before that. The collection included medical books and periodicals from the 16th through the 20th centuries. The oldest book in the collection was a 1501 edition of a work by Pliny.
In 1987, the Medical Society made a gift of its collection to Brown University. The most significant historical portions of the collection are now housed together at the John Hay Library of Brown University. Other volumes were interdigitated with the collection in the Sciences Library of Brown University. In return for the gift, all members and employees of the Rhode Island Medical Society have full borrowing privileges for the entire Brown library system in perpetuity.
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Archives
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Archives of the Rhode Island Medical Society and of the Providence Medical Association are under the stewardship of the Rhode Island Historical Society Library, 121 Hope Street in Providence.
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RIMS Seal
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In 2006, RIMS’ venerable seal was updated in conjunction with a new identity program that will carry the Society into its next century. The allegorical figure of Asclepius’ daughter Hygeia, goddess of health and cleanliness, has been the Medical Society’s symbol since 1812. As part of the update, the seal was redrawn to authentically restore its classical imagery. The new design (above right) was inspired by previous renderings of the seal, like the antique embossed version (above left) and other historical references. Rhode Island's Independent Man now appears inthe base of the pedestal.
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