Every organization has a history. The 125-year history of the San Bernardino County Medical Society is a particularly interesting story, one that was documented by the late Dr. Joseph Hayhurst in 1991 in his book, "The History of the San Bernardino County Medical Society." This October section of the Southern California Physician is dedicated to the San Bernardino County Medical Society's 125th anniversary. It is a milestone of significance not only to SBCMS, but also to the practice of medicine in San Bernardino County. One can only wonder whether the group of physicians that included Drs. William Riley Fox (who was elected President), C.G. Campbell, Jacob C. Allen, James H. Rousseau and Kelita D. Shugart, who met at 2:00 p.m. on July 13, 1878 to form the San Bernardino County Medical Society, foresaw the future of the fledgling medical society and if they speculated on what the practice of medicine would be like in 2003. We only know that they set SBCMS on a course that would continue for 125 years and beyond. Surely, these founding members would be amazed to learn how SBCMS has evolved in 125 years and how the strength and dedication of its members that remains today is a reflection of the purposes and principles they established that day so long ago.

How far have we come in 125 years? According to the Registry of Physicians at the Los Angeles County Medical Association Library, there were only 17 physicians in San Bernardino County at the time the original Constitution and Bylaws were signed on July 17, 1878. Dr. Hayhurst reports that 25 members attended the meeting on October 4, 1888, and the records of 1912 list a total of 37 members. Today, the SBCMS, a nonprofit 501(c)(6) association has a staff of five full time and two part time employees. We represent nearly 1,700 physician members. In addition we oversee two 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporations - Inland Wellness Information Network, Inc. and the Physicians Memorial, Gift and Benevolence Fund, Inc. as well as our Local Political Action Committee (LOPAC), an unincorporated committee registered as a state and local PAC. The SBCMS and its related organizations have a combined annual budget of approximately $875,000 a year.

The San Bernardino Weekly Times, on July 20, 1878, reported that "the object of the society is the cultivation and advancement of medicine by united exertions for mutual improvement and contributions to medical literature; the promotion of the interests and honor of the fraternity by maintaining the union and harmony of the regular profession of the county, and aiming to elevate the standard of medical education; the separation of regular from irregular practitioners, and the association of the profession proper for the purposes of mutual recognition and fellowship." It is clear that through its 125-year history, SBCMS has not deviated from these original objectives as we continue to promote the following goals:

1. Commitment to the Profession: through our economic, legislative and social advocacy programs for physicians and through our connections with the California Medical Association (www.cmanet.org), American Medical Association (www.ama-assn.org), and the specialty societies (links are available on the SBCMS website, www.sbcms.org).

2. Commitment to the Community: by our outreach to the community through such programs as Inland Wellness Information Network, incorporated by SBCMS as a nonprofit public benefit corporation in 1972 "To promote public health by disseminating medical knowledge and information to the general public without charge." IWIN programs include the African-American Health Initiative, the Live and Then Give organ and tissue donor awareness program, a Physicians Speakers Bureau, and the Healthy Lifestyles elementary school awards program. Further information may be found on the IWIN website, www.inlandwellness.org. Other programs in collaboration with SBCMS include the Medical Museum and our "Superheroes Protecting Kids" Crusade that promotes anti-smoking and bicycle safety at events, school assemblies and area malls, as well as our participation with the San Bernardino County Health Department in the areas of communication, bioterrorism and immunization preparedness. In addition, the Medical Society this year applied to the Department of Health Services for a $50,000 grant that will enable the Society to develop a Medical Reserve Corps.

3. Commitment to the Future: through our support of medical students, physicians in training, and young and new physicians, by communicating to subsequent generations of physicians an awareness of the purpose and value of organized medicine as it will affect their future. SBCMS also continues to advocate for physicians interests to assure a better future for medicine.

4. Commitment of our Members: To address specific needs and goals, SBCMS members have served on a variety of committees and commissions. In 2003, 246 physicians are volunteering their services on 15 SBCMS committees and commissions, in addition to serving on the IWIN Board of Directors and its councils, committees and initiatives. Many physician members have also volunteered their time to serve as delegates and alternate delegates to the CMA and AMA, on CMA and AMA commissions and committees, and as representatives of SBCMS on several county boards, task forces, and commissions.

My thanks to Drs. Marilyn Herber and Roger Smith of the SBCMS Historical Committee for contributing suggestions and additional articles for this special anniversary section which highlight interesting aspects of our medical society's history. Perhaps you will join with me as we silently applaud those founding fathers of our medical society who had the foresight 125 years ago to establish an organization whose value and commitment to improving the practice of medicine in San Bernardino County continues to benefit each new generation of physicians. Please write to me at admin@sbcms.org and share your opinions, ideas, and the books that personally intrigue and inspire you.

Dr. Wilson's Recent Reading List:
"Stewardship," by E.G. White
"No. 1 Female Detective Agency," by Alexander McCall Smith
"Self Matters," by Dr. Phil McGraw
"Under the Banner of Heaven," by Jon Krakuer