Maxwell Finland: A Centennial Celebration

Maxwell Finland

Maxwell Finland's career in infectious diseases spanned more than 50 years, from his appointment as the Pneumonia Resident at Boston City Hospital in 1928 until he left the hospital in 1983 and died in October 1987. A plaque in the Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Infectious Diseases at the Boston Medical Center summarizes his accomplishments:

He exemplified the finest qualities of physician, teacher and investigator. His association of more than 50 years with the Boston City Hospital began in 1926 and culminated in his appointment as Director of the Harvard Medical Services and the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory. He was author or co-author of more than 800 scientific papers including pioneering studies of the pneumococcus and diagnosis and management of pneumonias, clinical pharmacology of antimicrobial agents and hospital epidemiology. He was mentor and counselor to more than 100 fellows in infectious diseases who continue his tradition of scientific excellence.

On 15-16 March 2002, friends, colleagues, and fellows of Maxwell Finland gathered in Boston to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth. The occasion marked the didcation of the Maxwell Finland Conference Room at the Countway Medical Library, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and a scientific program highlighting the contemporary importance of his contributions. This exhibit, which includes pictures of Finland as well as reminiscences from friends and colleagues, tells the story of this teacher, role model, mentor, friend, and father-figure, and traces his legacy through to the present.

Credits

Maxwell Finland: A Centennial Celebration is an exhibit curated by Jennifer Pelose for the Center for the History of Medicine. The online exhibit was created in OnView by Andra Langoussis in September 2013.