Dear BCMS Member,

2024 will mark the 200th anniversary of the Berks County Medical Society, a truly historic achievement. Over the next two years, we will highlight some of the remarkable individuals and events that have made the history of medicine in Berks County quite memorable.

In this edition of the Medical Record, we reprint Dr. Dan Kimball’s article from our 175th Anniversary in 1999, celebrating the life of one of our earliest and most distinguished physicians, Dr. Bodo Otto. Dr. Otto served as General George Washington’s Chief Surgeon at Valley Forge and beyond. Additional historical articles will follow over the next two years.

And stay tuned for future events as we move toward our 200th Birthday Celebration.

As we prepare for that big event, BCMS is also responding to changes around us. Our leadership is currently undertaking a sweeping change of our ByLaws. We are moving from an organizational structure led by an Executive Council with a Chairperson and an Administrative Committee lead by a President, to a more efficient format. The new structure will comprise a Board of Directors chaired by the President and consisting of BCMS officers (President-elect and Treasurer) as well as committee chairs, and other appointed members including resident and medical student representatives.

More information will be forthcoming as our membership prepares to adopt the changes which we believe will streamline the work of the BCMS on behalf of our members and the work we do to improve the practice of medicine and the health of our community.

T.J. Huckleberry, MPA Executive Director