A Medical History of Brooklyn

Brooklyn's medical history can be traced as far back as 1638 when Hans Kierstede, a surgeon with the Dutch West India Company, settled in New Amsterdam. In 1646, the Dutch West India Company chartered the Town of 'Breuckelen.' It wasn't until 1816 that the Village of Brooklyn was organized; and 18 years later, in 1834, Brooklyn officially became a city. As Brooklyn grew, governing agencies were established to oversee and regulate health conditions and health care concerns.

• History of the Medical Profession of Kings County, 1664–1822 (Stiles, 1884) (PDF)
• Medical Profession of the City of Brooklyn, 1822–1884 (Stiles, 1884) PDF
• History of the Superintendendents of the Poor for the County of Kings (Stiles, 1884) (PDF)
• Commissioners of Charities of the County of Kings (Stiles, 1884) (PDF)
• The Department of Health (Stiles, 1884) (PDF)
• History of the Ambulance System in Brooklyn (PDF)
• The Profession of Dentistry in Kings County and Brooklyn (Stiles, 1884) (PDF)

Brooklyn's Medical School

The Long Island College Hospital-Collegiate Division, the nation's first college-hospital, commenced instruction on March 29, 1860. Today, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn's only academic medical center continues to carry out the mission of the original charter.

• The Founding of America's First College Hospital (PDF)
• The Early Years (PDF)
• Independence (PDF)
• A New Campus and SUNY (PDF)
• Research and Campus Expansion (PDF)
• The Last Quarter Century (PDF)

Brooklyn's County Medical Society

The Medical Society of the County of Kings has maintained a high standard of professionalism for Brooklyn's physicians and surgeons for over 175 years. Founded February 25, 1822, it can boast of its many accomplishments which have revolutionized medical practice and education.

• The Founding of America's First College Hospital (PDF)
• The Early Years (PDF)
• Independence (PDF)
• A New Campus and SUNY (PDF)
• Research and Campus Expansion (PDF)
• The Last Quarter Century (PDF)

Brooklyn's Medical Speciality Societies

The increase in medical knowledge and the necessity for specialization led to the formation of local medical specialty organizations; Brooklyn's specialty societies are among the oldest in the nation.

• Medical Society of the County of Kings (Hazelton, 1925) (PDF)
• History of the Medical Society of the County of Kings (Lapp,1972) (PDF)

We gratefully acknowledge that funding from the David A. Zohn, MD '55 Medical Library Fund helps underwrite this site.