History of Medicine buffs see here!

Are you a history buff or know someone who is?  Want to know more about the Gundersen family, the history of our organization or general history of medicine or nursing?  The Health Sciences Library’s History of Medicine and Nursing Collection and Gundersen’s new archive office will satisfy your curiosity.  Some unique features include:

Oldest book in collection

Six introductory lectures, to courses of lectures, upon the institute and practice of medicine : delivered in the University of Pennsylvania by Benjamin Rush, (1745-1813). Published 1801.  Benjamin Rush is remembered as a physician to the poor, a teacher to aspiring medical students, a revolutionary, a writer, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

Of local interest

Public health survey of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1946 by Gunnar A. Gundersen, MD.

The family in psychotherapy by Christian Fredrik Midelfort.  Published 1957.  C. Fredrik Midelfort married Helga Gundersen, Adolf Gundersen’s daughter.

The mountain.  Published 1985.  A promotional booklet for Gundersen in the 1980’s.  Check it out; you might see some familiar faces.

The Gundersen archive has many items of local interest as well.  In the future, many of the organization’s historical materials will be digitized and searchable.  Look for updates regarding the digital archive as well as interviews of retired physicians speaking about their experiences at Gundersen over the years. 

If you have items or materials of historical relevance, please see the Art Donation policy (GL-6183) for more information.