Jonathan Letterman, Jefferson Medical College and Modern Medicine

Authors

2LT Tyler Walker, U.S. Army Reserves, Medical Service Corp Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

4-12-2016

Abstract

Dr. Jonathan Letterman (Jefferson Medical College Class of 1849), served as the medical director for the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. He is remembered for bringing organization to the Army’s medical services and for addressing many health issues on a large scale. He is considered the father of modern battlefield medicine because of his contributions. In addition, Jonathan Letterman was educated at a medical college that trained many prominent physicians in the United States who gained extraordinary experience during the Civil War treating wounded soldiers. Physicians such as Dr. Jacob Da Costa, Dr. John H. Brinton, Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell, and Dr. William W. Keen all served during the Civil War and used their experiences to propel American medicine into the modern era.

Presentation: 35:14

Recommended Citation