Program in the History of Medicine
The Cedars-Sinai History of Medicine Program explores the evolution of medical knowledge and practice from antiquity to the present. Bringing together historians, clinicians, scientists and ethicists, we combine historical methods with contemporary biomedical knowledge to advance our understanding of the relationship between medicine, science and technology, the nature and experience of disease, healthcare ethics, medical education, and the changing roles of institutions, practitioners and patients in the world of medicine. Our programming, including a monthly speaker series that hosts international authorities and a variety of six-week courses offered throughout the year, emphasizes the social and institutional contexts of medicine and biomedical science, inequities in healthcare, and the many ways in which developments in anatomy, physiology and pathology have influenced the prevention of disease. The program serves as a hub for historical research, where historians collaborate in a unique “laboratory” for the study of medical and scientific history.
Program Content
Program Curriculum
- A monthly speaker series that brings notable historians of medicine and science to guest lecture
- Six-week courses on various topics in the history of medicine, taught by program faculty for the Cedars-Sinai community and other interested students
- Opportunities for residents, fellows and faculty to engage in historical research under the mentorship of program faculty
- The Program in the History of Medicine is affiliated with the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
- A twice-yearly newsletter discussing the history of medicine and the history of Cedars-Sinai, with special attention to program initiatives, contemporary events and recent history.
How to Participate
Anyone within Cedars-Sinai or the Southern California healthcare community is welcome to participate in our programming. Our online programming is open to audiences beyond Southern California as well.
Program participants have the opportunity to reflect on the nature of medical practice through the lens of the past. Of particular interest to attendees is seeking to understand how the social, cultural, intellectual and institutional context of medicine shaped its evolution into what it is today.
Send us a message to sign up for our History of Medicine Program email.
Faculty & Administration
Primary and affiliated faculty, alongside our Fellows in the History of Medicine and visiting faculty, all bring their passion and expertise to deliver exceptional programming and educational opportunities.
The History of Medicine Program hosts a regular series of seminars, lectures and roundtables for the medical center community.
The History of Medicine Program at Cedars-Sinai occasionally has unique career opportunities available for outstanding candidates in this field. Typical job features include challenging teaching assignments and substantial time to pursue research.
The Cedars-Sinai History of Medicine Program offers a variety of six-week courses on historical topics open to the Cedars-Sinai community and other interested students.
The Center for Medicine, Holocaust and Genocide Studies is an interdisciplinary research center affiliated with the History of Medicine Program.
Have Questions or Need Help?
Contact us if you have questions or would like additional information about the History of Medicine Program.