History

Dedicated to Improving the Health and Quality of Life for the People of North Carolina
Celebrating 86 Years of Health Advocacy and Community Service

NCMS Alliance History

By John A. Lovin, NCMS Alliance Past President

Prepared for the 150th Anniversary of the NCMS, 1999

    For a century and a half, the interests of physicians in North Carolina have been protected by the North Carolina Medical Society. The Society has been on the front lines for the family of medicine during this entire time since James K. Polk (a North Carolinian himself) was President. Through thirty more presidents, a Civil War, two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and more, the NCMS has tried to make sure that the special relationship between physicians and their patients was enhanced and that the noble calling of medicine was defended.
    For the second half of that time, the North Carolina Medical Society Alliance has been an "official" partner in this effort. On April 18, 1923 the Medical Society House of Delegates recommended the formation of a spouse organization to support their efforts. That organization, which became the Alliance, was named the Woman's Auxiliary to the Medical Society. The first meeting for the Auxiliary was held in Asheville and Sadie McCain of Southern Pines was elected as the first president.
    As early as the second Annual Meeting, held in Raleigh, the members began promoting an expanded role for the Auxiliary beyond their original purpose, which was primarily social. Mrs. I. W. Faison of Charlotte was the second president. In 1925-26, the Auxiliary began making efforts to establish more county units, and by the fifth Annual Meeting, 10-12 such groups had been formed.
    The changing role of the Auxiliary was demonstrated in 1927-28 when they voted to maintain a bed at the State Tuberculosis Sanatorium near Southern Pines. They also observed Doctors' Day for the first time. Two years later, a health education program was approved and a student loan fund was proposed. During the Great Depression, the Auxiliary began an endowment fund for the Sanatorium Bed, named by now in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Paul Presley McCain and added sponsorship of two additional beds in different sanatoriums. They also began a long tradition of political education by discussing "socialism in medicine" and by supporting bills to require medical examinations for marriage licenses and to require a Wassermann test for pregnant women.
During World War II, the Auxiliary helped the family of medicine contribute to the defense of freedom in various ways, some of which were by collecting surgical instruments and medical supplies to send overseas, selling Mercy Emblems for emergency medical field kits, and funding the U.S.S. Fremont battle dressing station. Their efforts were recognized in 1946 with a U.S. Treasury Department Award for Patriotic Service.
    Throughout the next five decades, the Auxiliary established more sanatorium beds, continued to raise money for student assistance, began a nursing recruitment program, sent medical books and supplies overseas, participated in civil defense projects, and participated in legislative projects, including the first "Day at the Legislature". President Martha Martinat of Winston-Salem in 1976-77 was so instrumental in getting a comprehensive school health education plan passed that she was known as the "Mother of HB 540."
    For the past three decades, family health issues have taken the forefront. Domestic violence, media violence, drug abuse, tobacco use, and other issues have kept members busy in the counties and at the state level. Legislative issues continue to be of crucial interest.
    As the roles of women changed, particularly in recent years, so did the Auxiliary. In recognition of our partnership role with the Medical Society, the name was changed from Auxiliary to Alliance in 1993. The Alliance also began to emphasize leadership training and development. Finally, the social role of the Alliance has reemerged after being de-emphasized for some time. With the increased stresses in our lives, it has been noted that our role as a "support group" for each other is more critical than ever.
    In a sense, the Alliance has come full circle. Rather than a handful of courageous and visionary wives, we are an organization nearly 2,000 strong, comprised of both men and women who are professionals in our own right. We are building our future with the intent of assuming a larger share of our financial responsibility. We hope to be a stronger partner with the Medical Society as a result and to continue our role of supporting our spouses in their efforts to educate and improve the health of the citizens of our great state into the next millennium. But more than that, we are also continuing to expand our own efforts in these areas as well as legislation, leadership development, and education.

A Brief History Of Our Organization
By Linda Patton Nance, President 1984-1985
Prepared for the 75th Anniversary of the NCMS Alliance, 1998

The North Carolina Medical Society Alliance was organized on April 18, 1923, at the recommendation of the president of the House of Delegates of the North Carolina Medical Society. Originally called the Woman's Auxiliary to the Medical Society, the name has been changed twice before it became the NCMS Alliance: The Auxiliary to the Medical Society of North Carolina and The North Carolina Medical Society Auxiliary. In May of 1998, the Alliance celebrated three quarters of a century of accomplishments. Although their causes have changed, physicians' spouses have dedicated themselves to assist physicians in their mission to serve the health care needs of the people of North Carolina on behalf of public health, medical education, and legislation.
Medicine and technology have made great progress during the past seventy-five years as has awareness of health issues. Televisions, computers, and the internet were unheard of, and diseases such as AIDS, anorexia and bulimia, and substance abuse were not identified in the 1920's. How could the founding members have known that substance abuse would threaten the health and well-being of so many and that violence in the streets and in the media would become our major focus through the Stop America's Violence Everywhere program? Nor could they have imagined the need for the organization to change its name to better appeal to an ever growing number of male and career spouses.
Because some diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, and what was called venereal diseases are now under control, the Alliance has addressed the scourges of the Nineties. AIDS, adolescent pregnancy, the use of tobacco products, substance abuse, and family violence have become the current causes. As if coming to grips with these issues through education and legislation were not challenging enough to interest all potential members, the Alliance must also work to keep county alliances active at a time when all similar organizations are competing for volunteers.
Seventy-five years have brought great changes to the state as well as the Alliance. Communication and transportation are easier than they once were, but challenges unheard of in 1923 face medicine as we approach the 21st Century. Medical liability, managed care, and ethical issues threaten the foundation upon which the practice of medicine was built. While the North Carolina Medical Society Alliance has a great ability to affect change, uncertainties about the future of medicine as we know it continues to be unsettling. The need to turn our focus inward to support one another has never been greater.