Committee appointment letter, 1954 March 30

File — Container: 3, Folder: 9

Scope and Contents note

From the Collection: The Robert S. Pressman papers house the records of Robert S. Pressman, mostly regarding his professional role in various medical societies in Philadelphia and his research and writings. This collection, which dates from 1856 to 1996, with bulk dates of 1934 to 1985, consists of correspondence, manuscripts, notes, pamphlets, article reprints, clippings, plaques and certificates, newsletters, minutes, reports, and other records from Pressman’s personal and professional life. This collection showcases the interaction between many of Philadelphia’s medical societies, including the Philadelphia County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the College of Physicians. It captures many core issues addressed by these societies, such as the implementation of Pennsylvania Blue Shield, as well as the various other activities they contributed to the medical community. Additionally, it captures Pressman’s interests, both in terms of his professional opinions and research, and his hobbies and accomplishments outside of medicine.

The collection is arranged into four series: “I. Professional work and education, 1933-1994,” “II. Research and writings, 1932-1990,” “III. Correspondence, 1939-1995,” and “IV. Personal, 1856-1996.”

Series “I. Professional work and education” dates from 1933 to 1994, with bulk dates of 1960 to 1986. The records in this series document Pressman’s education at Temple University and his various professional activities throughout his career. This series is arranged into six subseries: “Ia. Temple University,” “Ib. Albert Einstein Medical Center,” “Ic. Philadelphia County Medical Society,” “Id. Pennsylvania Medical Society,” “Ie. Pennsylvania Medical Care Foundation,” and “If. College of Physicians of Philadelphia.”

Subseries “Ia. Temple University” dates from 1933 to 1969, with bulk dates of 1933 to 1937. This subseries consists mainly of records documenting Pressman’s education at Temple University, but also includes some records relating to his teaching there. The bulk of the collection consists of student notebooks from various courses, including Histology, Immunology, Physiology, and Pathology. Additional records include Alumni Association certificates and faculty by-laws. Of particular interest here is Pressman’s diary from his freshman year, which documents his social life and extracurricular activities, and includes some of his poetry. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries “Ib. Albert Einstein Medical Center” dates from 1946 to 1975, with bulk dates of 1960 to 1975. The records of this series document Pressman’s service on the medical staff of the medical center and include minutes and meeting materials from the Board and various councils and committees, Medical Staff newsletters, receipts for drug and equipment orders, materials relating to the Ex-Residents’ Society, and correspondence. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries “Ic. Philadelphia County Medical Society” dates from 1957 to 1983, with bulk dates of 1975 to 1982. The records of this subseries document Pressman’s activities in the Society and include Board of Directors and Executive Committee minutes, press releases, memoranda, correspondence, and reports. The main topics addressed in this subseries include national health insurance, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and Independent Practice Associations (IPAs). The Pfahler Foundation is documented through fellowship applications, public service announcements, and materials relating to the renovation and dedication of the Pfahler Auditorium. Also included is the Strittmatter Award presented to Pressman in 1984. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries “Id. Pennsylvania Medical Society” dates from 1968 to 1985, with bulk dates of 1974 to 1983. Records here document Pressman’s activities with the Society and includes the charter, constitution, and by-laws; staff directories, bulletins, correspondence, memoranda, reports, press releases; and minutes and meeting materials of the Board of Trustees and Councilors. Significant portions of the records relate to Pennsylvania Blue Shield and an ad hoc committee focused on its implementation, as well as issues regarding Medicaid. Additional records regarding Pennsylvania Blue Shield can be found in Series “III. Correspondence.” This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries “Ie. Pennsylvania Medical Care Foundation” dates from 1973 to 1979. Records of this subseries document Pressman’s work with the Foundation and focus mainly on medical insurance. The majority of the records in this subseries pertain to the Committee to Evaluate Alternative Health Care Financing and Delivery Systems and the HMO-IPA Committee, and include minutes, memoranda, and reports. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries “If. College of Physicians of Philadelphia” dates from 1950 to 1994, with bulk dates of 1965 to 1986. Records here document Pressman’s activities within the College and as a Fellow. This includes committee work on the College Council, the Finance Committee, the Library Committee, and the Committee on the Mutter Museum, among others, with records such as correspondence, memoranda, reports, investment reports, and minutes. Records relating to the Membership Committee include applications, propositions, and nominations for Fellowship. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Series “II. Research and writings” dates from 1932 to 1990, with bulk dates of 1942 to 1980. This series contains manuscripts, article reprints, clippings, pamphlets, receipts, transcripts, correspondence, and notes. The manuscripts authored by Pressman mostly pertain to “bacteremias” post tooth-extraction and various related treatment options. However, many of the manuscripts also discuss the state of health care in Pennsylvania, specifically in regards to the establishment of Pennsylvania Blue Shield and the formation of the Southeastern Health Systems Agency, against which Pressman and many of his colleagues fought. Many of the manuscripts and especially the clippings are in regards to the alleged “anti-doctor” social climate. In addition to Pressman’s writings, there are also materials pertaining to research, including many article reprints, product pamphlets, and receipts for medical supply orders. Related correspondence can also be found here. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “III. Correspondence” dates from 1939 to 1995, and mostly includes correspondence concerning both personal and professional matters, as well as some other notes and related materials that did not fit into Series I. Much of the correspondence is topically diverse, ranging from professional matters such as patients and staff appointments, to the personal, including work done on Pressman’s car. There are also some materials that link to other series. Correspondence with Pennsylvania Blue Shield connects with related material in Subseries “Id. Pennsylvania Medical Society.” Notes about his research for Cabot relate to medical supply receipts from Cabot in Series II. This series fills some of the gaps in other professional activities and memberships not covered in Series I. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “IV. Personal” dates from 1856 to 1996, with bulk dates of 1937 to 1985. This series includes correspondence, plaques, certificates, awards, stamp and coin collection books, transcripts, receipts, photographs, and records from Pressman and his wife’s time in the military. Some of the materials detail the annual Pressman family Seder, the Pressman family tree, and some of their other pursuits, such as purchasing the Lakeside Nursing Home and Stonehill Farm, about which there are some clippings. A large portion of this series includes awards and plaques from Pressman’s various memberships and accomplishments, including awards and certificates from the American Society of Internal Medicine, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Military records, such as transcripts of service, mustering-out payment requests, commissary lists, and commission certificates can also be found here. Some of Pressman’s hobbies are also highlighted, with the presence of coin and stamp collecting materials, including a small collection of pennies. This series is arranged chronologically.

This collection particularly evidences some of the issues in health care in Pennsylvania, especially in regards to health insurance and changing medical plans, and how they affected doctors. Pennsylvania Blue Shield, Health Systems Agencies, HMOs, and Medicare are all addressed at length in this collection, specifically through the lens of some of the medical societies of the area. Pressman’s many writings reinforce the urgency and attention given to this issue, often challenging the alleged “anti-doctor” media and health care laws. In addition to this unique perspective, Pressman’s papers also provide a look into his personal life, interests, and family. This collection provides a unique look into the mentality of many doctors in Philadelphia at the time, as well as the activities of various medical societies and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.