Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Georgia Medical Society
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 18, 2008
1. Georgia Medical Society Marker
The first Medical Society in Georgia, sixth oldest in America, was organized June 28, 1804, and continues to be active in Savannah today. Dr. Noble Wimberly Jones, first President, was the son of a member of General Oglethorpe's first settlers of 1733. Dr. Samuel Roberio Nunez, first practicing physician, arrived July 10, 1733, with the second expedition to the new colony. He arrived in time to treat successfully a raging epidemic of dysentery.
In 1740, the first clinic for the poor opened at nearby Bethesda under Dr. John Hunter and Reverend George Whitefield, who previously had founded America's oldest orphanage there.
The Georgia Medical Society adopted the state's first Code of Medical Ethics, achieved a program of systematic vaccination against smallpox, carried out health surveys of Savannah and surrounding counties, founded a Medical Library, formed the first systematic anti-malarial effort begun in the United States, and conducted extensive studies of Savannah's major epidemic diseases malaria, yellow fever, and smallpox.
Erected 1983 by Georgia Medical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 28, 1935.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington Fire Company (within shouting distance of this marker); John B. Hohenstein, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev’d A. Dale Umbreit (within shouting distance of this marker); A. Douglass Strobhar (within shouting distance of this marker); New World Medical Plants (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Pirates House (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Georgia Medical Society (about 400 feet away); Old Harbor Light (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . . Noble W. Jones. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on October 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
2. Georgia Medical Society Marker at Washington Square in Savannah
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Georgia Medical Society Marker near E. St Julian Street
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,022 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
