FSC-37 Space Medicine Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association Papers

INTRODUCTION

The records of the Space Medicine Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association were accessioned into the Fordham Health Sciences Library Special Collections and Archives in September 1992. The records document the membership, annual meetings, and the actions of Space Medicine Branch officers from 1964 to the 2000. The organization's records fill seven (7) Hollinger boxes, approximately two and one-half linear feet. The records are arranged into four series as follows:

• Series I: Administrative
• Series II: Meetings and Programs
• Series III: Awards
• Series IV: Journal

Any portion of the Space Medicine Branch records may be copied or photocopied, within the guidelines of copyright law. However, Space Medicine Branch records may be published only with the written permission of the Associate University Librarian for the Fordham Health Sciences Library, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, following consultation with the president of the Space Medicine Branch.

ORGANIZATIONAL SKETCH

The Space Medicine Branch was founded in 1950 as a constituent organization of the Aerospace Medical Association for the express purpose of advancing the science and art of space medicine and the biological sciences, with special emphasis on the problems facing humans at high altitudes and in the space environment. The Space Medicine Branch accomplishes these goals by:

1. Stimulating investigation and study, and through consideration and implementation of research projects,
2. Disseminating pertinent knowledge and information,
3. Establishing and maintaining cooperation between the biological and other sciences concerned with space medicine.
4. Anyone who is a current member or associate member of the Aerospace Medical Association, and who has demonstrated a genuine interest in forwarding the science of space medicine may apply for membership to the Space Medicine Branch. The Executive Committee reviews the application.

The Space Medicine Branch has an Executive Committee consisting of the President, the President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Historian, and nine Members-at-Large. Under the Executive Committee there are ten general committees including: Award, Corporate Membership, Custodian of the Gavel, Education, History, International, Membership, Branch Nominations, Policy, and Program. The Space Medicine Branch also has representatives to the Aerospace Medical Association Council and the Aerospace Medical Association Nominations Committee. The Space Medicine Branch has an Executive Committee meeting and its annual business meeting during the annual scientific meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association.

The Space Medicine Branch presents several awards during their annual business meeting each year. The Hubertus Strughold Award is presented each year for dedication and outstanding contributions in advancing the frontiers of Space Medicine, for sustained contributions to further the goals of the Space Medicine Branch and to whom best exemplifies the ideals of Hubertus Strughold. The Young Investigator Award is presented to any investigator who is the first author of an outstanding paper in the area of aviation and/or space medicine presented at the current or previous scientific meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association. The work must be original and the investigator must be presenting at the annual scientific meeting for the first time.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The records of the Space Medicine Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association document the membership, meetings, and actions of organization officers from 1964 to 2000.

Series I, Administrative, contains the administrative actions of the Executive Committee of the Space Medicine Branch, the President, and the Secretary-Treasurer. Subseries IA, General, contains the Space Medicine Branch emblem, the history of the organization from 1950 to 1957, several different organization constitutions, and a 1985 special project entitled "Great Moments in Space Medicine." Subseries IB, Executive Committee Correspondence, contains the agenda and meeting minutes of the Executive Committee from 1964 to 2000. It also contains correspondence between committee members, but primarily contains the correspondence of the Secretary-Treasurer. Subseries IC, Secretary-Treasurer Records, contains correspondence and financial records of the Secretary-Treasurer from 1964 to 1972. Researchers should be aware that similar correspondence for this period may also be found in Subseries IB, Executive Committee Correspondence. Finally, Subseries ID, Membership, contains membership lists and membership applications for the Space Medicine Branch from 1959 to 1993.

Series II, Meetings and Programs, contains the agenda, minutes, and correspondence pertaining to the annual meetings of the Space Medicine Branch beginning with the 1965 annual meeting to the 1995 annual meeting. In most cases, files contain the agenda, meeting minutes, and program. Files also contain correspondence to and from guest speakers, as well as the correspondence of other people directly involved in the planning and execution of the annual meetings.

Series III, Awards, contains correspondence and award lists for annual awards presented by the Space Medicine Branch at their annual meeting. Files begin in 1965 and end in 1992.

Series IV, Journal, is primarily located in the Southwest Depository. When the Space Medicine Branch was formed in 1950, Space Medicine Branch related articles appeared in the Journal of Aviation Medicine, which was published by the Aero Medical Association. The Aero Medical Association later changed its name to the Aerospace Medical Association. The Journal of Aviation Medicine became Aerospace Medicine in 1960 and the Journal of Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine in 1975. Articles and announcements relating to the Space Medicine Branch continue to appear in the Journal of Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. Issues of the Journal of Aviation Medicine and Aerospace Medicine are located in the Southwest Depository. Issues of the Journal of Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine prior to 1980 are also located in the Southwest Depository. Issues beginning in 1980 are located by title on the Current Journal shelves of the Fordham Health Sciences Library.

BOX AND FOLDER LISTING
SERIES I: ADMINISTRATIVE

Subseries IA: General

Subseries IB: Executive Committee Correspondence

Subseries IC: Secretary/Treasurer Records

Subseries ID: Membership

SERIES II: MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

SERIES III: AWARDS