Missouri Pan Medical Association – Letter / Programs / Press Release, 1976 / 1960, 1997 / n.d.
Scope and Contents
The papers include correspondence, speeches, news articles, programs, and various organizational records pertaining primarily to the medical career and civic activities of Dr. James M. Whittico, Jr. There are also documents relating to Whittico’s military service during World War II; to his wife, Gloria Thompson Whittico; and to his parents, Dr. James M. Whittico, Sr. and Nannie Whittico. The papers are arranged into three series: Personal series, Organizations/Subject Files series, and Masonic series. The series are arranged alphabetically by topic, except for the Shriners files in the Masonic series which are arranged first chronologically and then alphabetically by topic. The papers date from 1928 to 2018; the bulk of the collection dates from 1965 to 2015. The Personal series dates from 1928 to 2018 and includes curriculum vitae (CV), military documents, certificates, newspaper clippings, family materials, and correspondence. There are several versions of Dr. Whittico’s CVs over approximately 30 years which provide a comprehensive list of all of Dr. Whittico’s educational, professional, military, and civic accomplishments (B2/f.1-2). There is also a brief biography by Leonard Drey (B1/f.4) and an interview transcript by John Milton which includes a brief draft of Whittico’s autobiography (B1/2). Correspondence and awards/certificates are scattered throughout the collection, often filed with the board, club, or organization with which Dr. Whittico worked. The correspondence in the Personal series dates from 1952 to 2011 and is arranged chronologically. It is a combination of personal and business letters. Friends and some family members sent many of the letters to either Dr. Whittico or to both him and Gloria. The awards and certificates in this series date from 1947 to 2007, and include basic membership certificates and city, state, and congressional resolutions and proclamations presented to Dr. Whittico. Originals and photocopies comprise Dr. Whittico’s military documents, which date from 1942 to1946. The documents include Dr. Whittico’s awards and official orders. Dr. Whittico wrote a letter on May 9, 1944, to the Inspector General concerning troop conditions and discrimination aboard the USS Taurus experienced by the 318th Medical Battalion from Guadalcanal to Bougainville. Family items include obituaries for James M. Whittico, Sr. and for Nannie Whitico and a file on the Whittico Heirs Estate in Virginia. Several items were saved by Gloris Whittico: newspaper clippings from scrapbooks dating from 1938 to 1960, dance recital programs, and girls scout materials (located in the Organizations/Subject Files series, B6/f.5-7). The Organizations/Subject Files series dates from 1950 to 2011 and is arranged alphabetically by topic or by name of organization. It includes all the professional associations, clubs, and state and municipal boards with which Dr. Whittico was involved. Types of records found in the series include meeting minutes; organization bylaws, articles of incorporation, and constitutions; various reports; convention and meeting plans; special events and programs; awards and certificates; correspondence; newsclippings; speeches and writings by Dr. Whittico; political testimonies and bills relating to health care; and files about people such as Julia Davis and friends and colleagues for whom he made introductions or eulogies (B6/f.1-4, B 10/f.5). If the name of an organization does not appear on the folder list, please also check the folders, Assorted Organizations (B4/f.7-9). There are files relating to Dr. Whittico’s staff position at Homer G. Phillips Hospital and to the premiere of the 1999 documentary, A Jewel in History: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital for Colored. There are also files relating to several of the other hospitals at which he worked (B7/f.1-2) and to several professional papers on topics such as diverticulitis and tumors (B10/f.7-14). His private practice is represented by the bylaws, constitution, and meeting minutes for the Mound City Medical Center (B8/f.11-14). Dr. Whittico was a member of the board of managers for the Alliance for Community Health, a managed care organization (MCO) which did business as Community Care Plus. It was incorporated in 1995 to make quality health care affordable by providing low-cost managed health care. The meeting minutes span from December 1999 to May 2002 with additional reports and an employee handbook (Box 3). The St. Louis Regional Health Care Corporation was a non-profit entity incorporated in 1983 to own and operate a hospital, the St. Louis Regional Medical Center. It had contracts to provide care to indigent patients in the city and the county. Dr. Whittico was a member of the board from 1986 to 1987 (B11/f.11-15). He was also a member of the board for the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (now Community Health Commission), another non-profit focused on providing affordable, essential health care and community support to people in the region. (B11/f.16-B12/f.8). There are several professional associations represented in the collection. The Mound City Medical Forum held a 100th birthday banquet for Dr. Whittico (B8/f.19) and was named the 2006 National Medical Association Society of the Year (B8/f.23). African American doctors established the Missouri Pan Medical Association about 1911, since they were not allowed to join the Missouri State Medical Association until 1949. Dr. Whittico was a member; the papers include meeting minutes for annual conventions dating from 1949 to 1963 (B7/f.10). He served Central Baptist Church in several ways, most notably with its health ministry which led to the church’s new health room being named in his honor (B5/f.11). Dr. Whittico was a contributor to the “Yes I Can” program sponsored by the St. Louis Sentinel (B12/f./9-10). The largest amount of material is for the National Medical Association (NMA) (Box 9-10) and dates from 1961 to 2008. Materials relate to Dr. Whittico’s term as president, 1968-1969, and to his continued participation in the association, including its judicial council and the past president’s council. There are files on Region V, which includes St. Louis, and the NMA women’s auxiliary. On July 10, 2008, the NMA issued a press release entitled, “NMA accepts AMA [American Medical Association] apology for history of racial inequality” (B9/f.10). The Masonic series dates from 1980 to 2007 and is comprised primarily of correspondence and reports relating to the planning of the annual convention of the Shriners, the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.), and to meetings held during the convention. Noble Carl Jameson mentioned being in New York City just before the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in his October 9, 2001, letter (B15/f.6). Dr. Whittico participated in, or initiated, health programs with both the Masons and the Shriners. For example, in 1985, the American Cancer Society’s Minority Task Force cooperated with the Prince Hall Masonic Lodges for cancer education. He also received many certificates (in Latin), awards, and tributes.
Dates
- 1976 / 1960, 1997 / n.d.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Extent
From the Collection: 7.45 Cubic Feet (15 boxes, 3 oversize folders)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Collection: Whittico, James Malachi, Jr., Dr., 1916-2018 (Creator, Person)
- From the Collection: Smith, Earl Belle, Dr. (Correspondent, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository