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About / College History

College History

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine was established in 1819 as the Medical College of Ohio by pioneering physician Daniel Drake. It became a part of the University of Cincinnati in 1896 and is considered the oldest medical college west of the Allegheny Mountains.

It is the second-oldest public college of medicine in the United States.

The College of Medicine has an exceptional list of alumni and current and past faculty who have made considerable contributions to medicine and to the medical sciences.

With an internationally renowned faculty of 850 members, it would be impossible to list all of our accomplishments here; however, you can view a few of the highlights below.

Questions and additional information about the history of the College of Medicine can be obtained from the UC Libraries’ Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions.

Significant Contributions to Medicine

First Live, Attenuated Polio Vaccine
First Heart-Lung Machine
UC Stroke Team Pioneers Treatment
Health Effects of Lead in Children
Study of Birth Defects Pioneered
Heart Failure Gene Identified
Development of Benadryl
Saving Preemies
Sniffing Out Disease
First Residency Programs
Guidelines for Treating Heart Failure
First Medical Laser Lab
First YAG Laser Used
Organ Transplant Discovery
Pioneering Gene Therapy
Cancer Gene Discoveries

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Historical Timeline

1800s
1900s
2000s

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Contact Us

University of Cincinnati
College of Medicine

CARE/Crawley Building
Suite E-870
3230 Eden Avenue
PO Box 670555
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0555

Mail Location: 0555
Phone: 513-558-7333
Fax: 513-558-3512
Email: College of Medicine