Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-12
GREAT MEDICAL
CENTRE PLAN OF
PHYSICIANS HERE
Merger of Medico-Chi and
University's Schools
b Contemplated
FIRST STEP OF PROGRAM

A merger Of all the medical colleges in
this city into one great institution OF in
etructicn and the consequent making of
Philadelphia the greatest medical centre
in the country is the hope held by prom
inent physicians and educators here.
The first step toward this goal will be
taken within a short time, il is expected,
with the merger of the Medico- Chirurgicni
College and the medical school of the Uni
versity OF Pennsylvania. A resolution
hooking with favor upon the proposed
merger has already been passed by the
trustees of the University and the con-
summation of the merger is regarded as
certain before long.
BUILDINGS MUST GO.
The buildings of Medico-Chi are in the
path of the Parkway and must soon be
razed. II is believed that the student and
members Of the faculty will be trans
ferred to the University OF Pennsylvania
and the money that the institution will
receive from the condemnt zion of the
property will be turned over to the Uni
yersity It is understood that the Board
of Viewers has allowed sum of between
100000 and 100000 as compensation to the
Medico- Chirurgical College.
Rumors of a merger between the two
medical schools have been heard for sew
eral years, but now it is stated posi-
lively that the consolidation will be
brought about. One of the plans for the
new institution that will grow out of
this merger and of others expected to
follow calls for the establishment of A
great post graduate medical school with
a faculty of the most learned physicians
TO be found in any institution of the
kind in the country. 1t is expected that
an appropriation many times larger than
that obtained at present would be had
from the State and that students not only
from all parts of this country, but from
Europe as well, would be attracted to
the institution.
A special committee, agreed upon yes
terday at the meeting of the Board of
Trustees of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, will investigate the University's
part in the new plan and will report
shortly to the trustees.
If all of the medical schools could be
brought into the plan it would mean that
the money now appropriated by the State
and divided among the jefferson Medical
College, Medico- Chi, the Women's Medi-
cal College and the University Medical
School would be combined into one large
sum and devoted to carrying out the aim
of establishing one great centre of med-
cal instruction in this city.
JEFFERSON IN DOUBT.
Dean Patterson, of Jefferson Medical
College, said today he had heard nothing
to indicate Jefferson will participate in
the proposed merger.
1--WE are satisfied with jefferson as it
is" he said. I'VE have a university
charter the same as the University of
Pennsylvania, and conditions here are not
in any way similar to those at Medco-
Chi, which is being dispossessed by the
Parkway and to which the merger is an
advantage.
"Of course, this talk of merging all the
medical schools into one great institution
has been in the air for some time, and it
may be possible that union of all the
medical schools will be brought about
Amy action taken by Jefferson would
be up to the trustees. who probably
would consult the faculty. There has
been nothing official done so far that 1
have heard Of"
Many physicians connected with Penn
and with Medlco-Chi, who are on the
inside of the scheme, are confident that
their plans will be realized and are
pleased to reflect on the ADVANTAGES
from many points Of view, of such
combined institution.
1t is believed that the student body,
both undergraduate and graduate, would
exceed 1000. Buildings, splendid both
enthusiastically and in equipment, would
minds of medical men that the carrying
out Of the plan would make this city
the home of the best-equipped medical
school in the Western Hemisphere.
Already tentative plans have been made
Tor the erection of building for post
graduate work, and ii is said that 81, ,OOO-
OO will be spent on the structure. It is
said that the Medico- -Chirurgical College
now holds an option on a site along the
PARKWAY, and IT is thought that this
would be an ideal spot for the erection
of the school.
The packers of the plan have sounded
the administration of jefferson College on
the matter and hope is entertained that
mis- institution will be included In Ine
merger.
1t is believed. say those who favor the
plan' that the State authorities look with
favor upon having a large medical school
here instead OF three or four smaller ones,
ano II is thought that legislation during
the last five years has indicated tend
ency toward the establishment OF two
great medical institutions i'm the State,
one In the eastern part and the other In
the western part. Pittsburgh and Phila-
delphia are the two logical centres for
such institutions and, IT is argued, in this
city such college should and undoubted-
~ would come under the supervision of
the University of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia already holds an import
ant place as a centre Of medical learning,
but the establishment of the proposed
new college would give II a prestige so
great as to be almost unimaginable at
this time