Guides: W. Bruce Fye Center For the History of Medicine: Awards and Memberships from United States Institutions

Introduction

Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie were involved in numerous medical and educational organizations. Certificates are on display in the Historical Suite for those listed here.

Please consult staff for further information regarding the Mayos and their involvement with these organizations.

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Dr. William J. Mayo

Society of the Sigma Xi, Minnesota Chapter, 1920
North wall, row 1 no. 3
Sigma Xi membership is conferred upon an individual who has shown noteworthy achievement as an original investigator in a field of pure or applied science.

Society of the Sigma Xi, Mayo Foundation Chapter, 1919
North wall, row 1 no. 11
The Mayo Clinic chapter was established in 1919.

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honorary Fraternity, University of Michigan Chapter, 1927
North wall, row 2 no. 6
Alpha Omega Alpha was established in 1902 to honor those who demonstrate a lasting commitment to the medical profession and the art of healing. Membership is based on both scholarly achievement and professional conduct. This is Dr. Will's membership certificate and key.

American Medical Association Medal of Achievement, 1930
North wall, row 2 no. 7
Awarded for service to the medical profession and in recognition of outstanding achievements. Presented by the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association.

Gold Medal from the National Institute of Social Sciences, 1917
North wall, row 2 no. 8
Awarded for notable service to mankind during World War I.

University of Minnesota General Alumni Association, 1935
North wall, row 3 no. 5
Certificate of Appreciation awarded for service to the University of Minnesota.

Distinguished Service Medal and Certificate from the Minnesota State Medical Association, 1939
North wall, row 3 no. 6
Awarded by council of the Minnesota State Medical Association for Dr. Will's work in promoting postgraduate medical education.

Distinguished Service Recognition, University of Minnesota Chapter of Sigma Xi, 1933
North wall, row 3 no. 7
Awarded for "achievements in medicine and applied science and leadership in development of scientific means for the preservation of human health and life."

Phi Beta Kappa Society, College of William and Mary Chapter, 1921
North wall, row 3 no. 9
Correspondence announcing Dr. Will's election to membership in the society, along with his membership key.

Resolution of Appreciation by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, 1938
North wall, row 4 no. 6
In appreciation of the gift of the Mayo Foundation to the University of Minnesota. Today the Mayo Foundation House is owned by Mayo Clinic.

The University of Minnesota, 1915
East wall, row 2 no. 17
Resolution of acceptance of the gift to the University from the Mayo brothers to fund the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research in Rochester, MN.

Minnesota State Medical Association, 1934
East wall, row 5 no. 3
Letter of appreciation from the association recognizing the Mayos for their monetary gift to the University of Minnesota in support of graduate study and research, as well as for their ideals and distinguished service to the medical profession.

Whitman Centennial, Inc., 1936
South wall, row 1 no. 12
Whitman Centennial, Inc. was initially established to celebrate the centennial of Dr. Marcus Whitman's arrival in Waiilatpu in the Oregon Territory in 1836. Later goals included, "acquire, maintain, and operate a park at the place of the Whitman Mission." The group successfully backed legislation that created the current Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Dr. Will was a life member of the organization.

Medical Library Association, 1936
South wall, row 3 no. 2
The association was formed in 1898 to help promote access to medical information and research. Dr. Will was elected to Honorary Membership for his "active interest in medical libraries and medical literature."

American Geographic Society, 1924
South wall, row 3 no. 3
The American Geographic Society was formed in 1851 to pursue exploration, geographical inquiry, and cartography in North America, but its exploratory focus soon expanded to an international scale. Its ability to produce and disseminate up-to-date, high quality geographic data and analysis has made valuable contributions to science and geo-political debate. Dr. Will was elected a fellow of the Society.

Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, 1934
South wall, row 3 no. 4
Members of this organization can trace their ancestry to those who settled in the Minnesota Territory before the state of Minnesota was admitted to the union in 1858. Drs. Will and Charlie were life members.

Alumni Association of the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1936
South wall, row 3 no. 9
The Alumni Association consists of doctors who have trained at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Will was an Active Member of the organization.

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1921
West wall, row 1 no. 1
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. This letter informed Dr. Will of his election as a fellow of the Academy.

American Board of Surgery Incorporated, 1937
West wall, row 1 no. 3 bottom
The American Board of Surgery was created in 1937 to support the certification of surgeons who met basic educational and training requirements. Dr. Will was a member of the Founders' Group.

State of Minnesota, Executive Department, 1919
West wall, row 1 no. 7
Dr. Will was appointed a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota by Governor J. A. A. Burnquist for the 1919-1925 term.

American Association for the Advance of Science, 1911
West wall, row 2 no. 2
Founded in 1848, the AAAS was the first permanent organization formed to promote the development of science and engineering at the national level and to represent the interests of all its disciplines. Participants in AAAS meetings, held in cities across the country, represented a "Who's Who" of science. Dr. Will was elected to membership in 1911.

Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventative Medicine, 1921
West wall, row 2 no. 4
Now housed at the University of Alabama, the Gorgas Memorial Institute was founded in 1921 to conduct research and training in tropical medicine. As a member of the Minnesota Governing Committee for the Institute, Dr. Will pledged "to develop and perpetuate The Gorgas Idea" of giving good health to every individual and reducing preventable deaths through research and cooperation. He also was a member of the institute's Board of Directors.

Tacoma Surgical Club, 1929 (108)
Dr. Will was awarded the first Honorary Membership to the club.

Albany Burgesses Corps, 1917
West wall, row 3 no. 7
This group was formed in 1833 to perform civic duties in the area around Albany, New York. Dr. Will was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Corps.

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, 1939
West wall, row 4 no. 6
The association fosters research and education to improve the quality of care to trauma patients. Dr. Will was elected an Honorary Fellow two months before his death on July 28, 1939.

Minneapolis Surgical Society, 1936
West wall, row 4 no. 8
A small society that focused on providing training for surgeons in the Minneapolis area, the Minneapolis Surgical Society elected Dr. Will to Honorary Membership in 1936.

Guide/ Contents

These links serve as your quick guide through our exhibit. Click on a link that interests you to find more information. To return to the first page click the top tab titled "Mayo Family Travels" or look for the Back to Start link in the Introduction on every page.

Diplomas, Memberships, and Awards
Original Medical Diplomas | United States Army Commendations and Awards | Awards and Memberships from United States | Awards and Memberships from International Organizations

Images courtesy of the W. Bruce Fye Center for the History of Medicine. For use permission, please contact Center staff.

Dr. Charlie Mayo

The Society of Sigma Xi, Minnesota Chapter, 1920
North wall, row 1 no. 1
Sigma Xi membership is conferred upon an individual who has shown noteworthy achievement as an original investigator in a field of pure or applied science.

Medal of Achievement from the American Medical Association, 1930
North wall, row 2 no. 3
Awarded for service to the medical profession and in recognition of outstanding achievements by the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association.

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honorary Fraternity, Northwestern University Chapter, 1927
North wall, row 2 no. 4
Alpha Omega Alpha was established in 1902 to honor those who demonstrate a lasting commitment to the medical profession and the art of healing. Membership is based on both scholarly achievement and professional conduct. This is Dr. Charlie's membership certificate and key.

The Society of Sigma Xi, Mayo Foundation Chapter, 1919
North wall, row 2 no. 11
The Mayo Clinic Chapter was established in 1919.

Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award, 1936
North wall, row 3 no. 1
The Silver Buffalo Award is given for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national level.

Jewel and Collar, Grand Council of the Order of De Molay, 1935
North wall, row 3 no. 3
The Order of De Molay was founded in 1919 to foster community leaders by developing civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills. This jewel and collar were presented to Dr. Charlie upon his acceptance of Active Membership in the Grand Council.

University of Minnesota Certificate of Appreciation, 1936
North wall, row 5 no. 1
Awarded for "long and distinguished service to the University of Minnesota and to the State" as Professor of Surgery from 1915 to 1936.

American Public Health Association, 1928
South wall, row 1 no. 2
The American Public Health Association is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world and has been working to improve public health since 1872. Certificate of election to membership.

American Geographical Society, 1923
South wall, row 1 no. 7
The American Geographical Society was formed in 1851 to pursue exploration, geographical inquiry and cartography in North America. It soon expanded to an international scale because of its ability to produce and share up-to-date, quality geographical data and analysis. The society has made valuable contributions to science and geo-political issues. Dr. Charlie was elected a fellow of the Society.

Alumni Association of the Mayo Foundation for Medical and Educational Research, 1936
South wall, row 2 no. 8
The Alumni Association consists of doctors who have trained at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Charlie was an Active Member of the association.

Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, 1934
South wall, row 3 no. 4
Members of this organization can trace their ancestry to those who settled in Minnesota Territory before the state of Minnesota was admitted to the union in 1858. Drs. Will and Charlie were Life Members.

Founders' Cross of the Order of De Molay, 1937
West wall, row 1 no. 2
The Founders' Cross is the rarest De Molay honor ever given. It was only presented by Frank S. Land to persons he desired to honor "for their personal, consistent and conspicuous loyality." The jewel was to be worn over the heart. Exactly 135 were awarded in Land's lifetime between 1937 and 1959, and they are never to be issued again. A list of all 135 recipients has never been found.

American Board of Surgery Incorporated, 1937
West wall, row 1 no. 3 top
The American Board of Surgery Incorporated was created in 1937 to support the certification of surgeons who met basic educational and training requirements. Dr. Charlie was a member of the Founders' Group.

The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, 1924
West wall, row 1 no. 5
West wall, row 1 no. 8 top
In 1924, the Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons of New York and Minnesota agreed to "cultivate a more intimate correspondence" by appointing and receiving representatives from their respective groups. New York selected Dr. Charlie as their Grand Representative in Minnesota.

Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventative Medicine, 1921
West wall, row 2 no. 3
Now housed at the University of Alabama, the Gorgas Institute was founded in 1921 to conduct research and training in tropical medicine. As a member of the Minnesota Governing Committee for the Institute, Dr. Charlie pledged "to develop and perpetuate the Gorgas Idea" of giving good health to every individual and reducing preventable deaths through research and cooperation.

Medical Library Association, 1936
West wall, row 3 no. 5
The association was formed on May 2, 1898 to promote access to medical information and research by improving medical libraries and increasing their number. It is the second oldest special library association in the United States. The eight founders - four librarians and four physicians - included Sir William Osler. Dr. Charlie was elected to Honorary Membership for his "active interest in the medical libraries and medical literature."

American Genetic Association, 1914
West wall, row 4 no. 2
The American Breeders' Association held its first meeting in 1903 to discuss the "new" science of genetics for practical breeding of plants and animals. In 1914, the ABA became The American Genetic Association. It continues to disseminate information about research and achievements in the field of genetics through its publications. Dr. Charlie was elected to membership in 1914.

State of Minnesota, Executive Department Certificate of Appoitment, 1908
West wall, row 4 no. 3
Governor John A. Johnson appointed Dr. Charlie as Minnesota's delegate to the Sixth International Congress on Tuberculosis in Washington, D.C. He served as President of the Section on Surgery and as a member of the Editorial Committee for the publication of the Transactions of the Congress.

Minnesota Public Health Association, 1936
West wall, row 4 no. 4
The association conferred an Honoroary Presidency for Life on Dr. Charlie in recognition of his "distinguished service in the cause of public health." The certificate includes a list of the roles for which Dr. Charlie was recognized: "World renowned surgeon, educator, soldier, public health statesman, municipal health officer, pioneer leader in the campaign for pasteurized milk, practical dairyman."

American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1914
West wall, row 5 no. 2
Founded in 1848, the AAAS was the first permanent organization to promote the development of science and engineering at the national level and to represent the interests of all its disciplines. Participants in AAAS meetings, held in cities across the country, represented a "Who's Who" of science. Dr. Charlie was elected a fellow in 1914.

Smithsonian Institution, 1936
West wall, row 5 no. 5
Dr. Charlie was a patron of the Smithsonian Scientific Series.

Minneapolis Surgical Society, 1936
West wall, row 5 no. 9
The Minneapolis Surgical Society focused on providing training for surgeons in the Minneapolis area. The society elected Dr. Charlie to Honorary Membership in 1936.