Drawing from the Past: How Archives Preserve our Collective Memory in Medicine

Winston Churchill once said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” In the ever-changing, fast-paced world of medicine, it may seem easy to forget the past. However, records kept in archives teach us how preserving medicine’s past helps inform our present and future decision about healthcare.   

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:  

1. List at least three types of records found in medical archives. 
2. Explain how medical archives contribute to preserving collective memory and institutional history. 
3. Navigate WesternU’s digital archive, as well as make an appointment with the University Archivist to view institutional records.