1941 to 1960

1942
The AMA Council on Medical Education and the Association of American Medical Colleges establishes the Liaison Committee on Medical Education to accredit programs leading to the MD degree

1943
AMA opens office in Washington DC

AMA Council on Medical Service and Public Relations is established

1944
The AMA receives a commendation from the Surgeon General for the radio series "Doctors at War," as an excellent service to the Medical department of the US Army

1945
AMA recommends borderline limits to determine alcohol influence in the suspected drunken driver

1946
AMA begins television broadcasts that bring health messages to the general public

1947
AMA celebrates centennial of its founding

1948
AMA launches a campaign against President Truman's plan for national health insurance

1950
Hygeia becomes Today's Health

AMA Council on Medical Education, along with the Association of American Medical Colleges, develops and publishes a list of foreign medical schools with educational programs that meet AMA standards

1951
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals is formed by the AmericanCollege of Surgeons, American College of Physicians, American Hospital Association, AMA and the Canadian Medical Association

AMA endorses the principle of fluoridation of community water supplies

AMA Educational Research Foundation established to help medical schools meet expenses and to help medical students

1952
House of Delegates adopted a council report condemning fee splitting in health care

1953
National Internship Matching Program is formally established

1954
AMA Council on Medical Education establishes the Internship Review Committee

First list of continuing education courses is published by AMA Council on Medical Education

AMA recommends equipping all automobiles with safety belts

AMA establishes Committee on Geriatrics to outline basic problems of aging

1954-1955
Council on Foods & Nutrition discontinues Seal of Acceptance program and focuses efforts on providing nutritional information to the profession and to the public

1955
Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology becomes Archives of Dermatology

AMA supports a 5-year program for states to improve mental health care

AMA approves extension of Water Pollution Act and programs to eliminate air pollution

1956
AMA declares alcoholism an illness

AMA Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry becomes Council on Drugs

1957
The AMA Council on Medical Education convenes discussions that lead to the formation of the Educational Council (now the Commission) for Foreign Medical Graduates

After two years of debate, The Principles of Medical Ethics was revised, eliminating regulations on specific conduct with broad, fundamental ethical principles. This change gave the Judicial Council broad rule making authority, allowing them to issue ethical pronouncements without securing House of Delegates approval

1958
American Medical Association News begins publication

1959
Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry splits to become two separate journals: Archives of Neurology and Archives of General Psychiatry

1960
AMA states that a blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent should be accepted as prima- facie evidence of alcohol intoxication

AMA develops national policy on health care for older patients

AMA Archives is established to document and preserve AMA history and to serve as a resource center

Go to 1961 to 1979