The Medical Heritage Center at the Health Sciences Library, The Ohio State University is seeking applicants for its scholar-in-residence program for a flexible time period between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.
Founded in 1997 as a partnership effort between the Columbus Medical Association Foundation and The Ohio State University, the Medical Heritage Center collects, preserves, and promotes the rich health sciences history of central Ohio. Part of the institution’s mission is to “provide an environment for the academic and clinical communities to study and research meaningful historical records for the education and understanding of the entire health community.” The scholar-in-residence program is a key part of this mission.
The Medical Heritage Center maintains a rare book, archival, and artifact collection that speaks to the development of central Ohio’s health sciences history. The collection is particularly rich in documenting innovation in the areas of medical education, dentistry, nursing, nuclear medicine, homeopathy, and surgery. The Nathaniel Coleman Rare Book collection contains over 12,000 volumes representing limited edition and one-of-a-kind references and prints dating back to 1555. The scholar will also have access to the rich holdings of The Ohio State University and regional libraries. The Medical Heritage Center’s archives currently include papers and memorabilia from regional and nationally recognized institutions, organizations, and luminaries such as William G. Myers, PhD, MD; Arthur G. James, MD; Charles Doan, MD; and Robert Zollinger, MD. The artifacts collection represents medical equipment used as early as the 1800’s, and range from those now perceived as quackery to those that were truly innovations at their time.
Suitable potential scholars can come from a variety of backgrounds (i.e. students, clinician historians, PhD historians) and each application will be reviewed based upon the quality of the application and proposed use of historical collections. Preference will be given to scholars whose research is directed toward local or regional medical historic issues. Use of the in-house archival and rare book collections is suggested but not limited to the collections of the Medical Heritage Center. The intent to publish in nationally-known presses and peer-reviewed journals is highly essential. Scholars will be expected to provide a mid-point and final report discussing the progress and result of the residency project. At least one presentation and publication is expected from a successful scholar residency.
The scholar-in-residence program provides a stipend up to $5,000 to support the activities of the scholar. This funding is provided by the Columbus Medical Association Foundation endowment for the Medical Heritage Center and can cover but is not limited to equipment, travel, support staff, publication costs. Scholars also receive office space, basic office equipment, and extensive access to the collections of the Medical Heritage Center.
An application package should be submitted for consideration by March 30, 2012, and a successful applicant will be decided upon by the Medical Heritage Center advisory committee by April 30, 2012. For more program details, including an application package, please contact Medical Heritage Center Head Curator Judith Wiener at 614-292-9273 or wiener.3@osu.edu.
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