Milestones in Medicine will document the fantastic story of the great achievements and advances in medicine dating from the late 1700s, beginning with Jenner’s proof of the efficacy of a treatment, the first vaccine effective against a great killer of the age, smallpox. The course will take us through more than two centuries of these so-called “milestones”, familiarizing us with the drama and achievements of the great physicians/scientists behind these spellbinding achievements.

Over the past 150 years in particular, most notably in advanced economies, we will highlight the profound and remarkable advances in both medical care and public health. It is the pairing of both these factors which are responsible for the most of the remarkable advances which we currently enjoy. The most observable manifestation of these advances are dramatic increases in lifespans, and, a more healthful environment.

Gordon Josephson, MD, MPH is a retired former emergency physician (1977- 1997) and Chief Operating Officer (1997-2015) of Baystate Medical Practices (600 physicians and advanced practice clinicians). In addition, he was part of a multi-specialty practice within Baystate Health in Springfield, MA. He holds a Master's of Public Health from Harvard as well as a medical degree from SUNY. He serves as President of OLLI's Board of Directors.

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