The Story of our Health Message

For Establishing a Medical College

At a meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, held in June, 1895, the main topic on the agenda was the establishment of a medical missionary college. The magnitude of the undertaking seemed, at first thought, beyond the ability of the denomination to compass; but as the favorable conditions were rehearsed, the doubts began to disappear. SHM 280.1

It was pointed out that the large class that had taken its preliminary work at Battle Creek and Ann Arbor was now graduated, and several of them were taking postgraduate work, specializing in certain subjects which gave them good qualifications as instructors. Two able physicians, who had freely rendered service in connection with the Chicago dispensaries, already had expressed their willingness to teach special branches in the college. Thus a faculty sufficient for the work of the first year was in sight. SHM 280.2

The opportunities in connection with the large sanitarium and hospital at Battle Creek made it possible for prospective medical students to devote their entire time to lines of work that would give them the very best preparation for medical missionary work, and the thousands of patients coming to the Chicago dispensaries met the requirements for clinical experience. SHM 280.3

The laboratory facilities were found to be equal to those of the best medical colleges in the country. The enterprise was to be supported by the earnings of the Battle Creek sanitarium; and opportunity would be granted to the students, when necessary, to earn their tuition and expenses while taking the course of study. SHM 280.4

It was not even necessary to delay the enterprise until funds could be raised to meet the initial expense. The $40,000 that had been given for medical missionary work in Chicago was, with the consent of the donors, made available to the medical missionary college. And the property connected with the Chicago Medical Mission (already described) was well adapted to the work of a medical college. SHM 281.1

In view of all these favorable conditions the sanitarium board voted to launch the enterprise to be known as the American Medical Missionary College. Application was made to the Illinois legislature for a charter, which was granted July 3, 1895. SHM 281.2