George Henry Simmons (January 2, 1852 – September 1, 1937) was an English-born American physician, editor-in-chief of the ''
Journal of the American Medical Association
''The Journal of the American Medical Association'' (''JAMA'') is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of bio ...
(JAMA)'' and general secretary of the
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association (AMA) is a professional association and lobbying group of physicians and medical students. Founded in 1847, it is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Membership was approximately 240,000 in 2016.
The AMA's state ...
(AMA). He edited ''JAMA'' from 1899 to 1924.
Biography
Simmons, it was claimed by his colleague, Dr. Harvey Cushing in 1924,
was born in
Moreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh is a market town in the Evenlode Valley, within the Cotswolds district and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Gloucestershire, England.
The town stands at the crossroads of the Fosse Way Roman road (now the A429) and the ...
, then moved to
Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln is the capital city of the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Lancaster County. The city covers with a population of 292,657 in 2021. It is the second-most populous city in Nebraska and the 73rd-largest in the United Sta ...
, when he was 18. After studying at the
University of Nebraska
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, the ...
, Simmons graduated from
Hahnemann Medical College
Drexel University College of Medicine is the medical school of Drexel University, a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The medical school represents the consolidation of two medical schools: the first U.S. medical school ...
.
[ Hahnemann was a ]homeopathic
Homeopathy or homoeopathy is a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine. It was conceived in 1796 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Its practitioners, called homeopaths, believe that a substance that causes symptoms of a dise ...
program at the time. Simmons later rejected homeopathy. He subsequently graduated from Rush Medical College
Rush Medical College is the medical school of Rush University, located in the Illinois Medical District, about 3 km (2 miles) west of the Loop in Chicago. Offering a full-time Doctor of Medicine program, the school was chartered in 1837, and ...
. He was secretary of the state medical society in Nebraska in the late 1890s.
Practicing medicine in Lincoln until 1899, Simmons came to Chicago when he was elected editor-in-chief of ''JAMA'' that year. The ''Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
'' reported that several respected physicians – including Chicago physician Bayard Holmes – had been considered candidates for the position, but many of them were unwilling to work for the journal on a full-time basis. During Simmons' 25-year term as editor-in-chief and general secretary, the number of ''JAMA'' subscribers increased from 1,000 to 80,000.
Simmons supported the creation of AMA specialty journals, including the ''Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology'' (now '' JAMA Dermatology'') and the ''American Journal of Diseases of Children'' (now ''JAMA Pediatrics
''JAMA Pediatrics'' is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association. It covers all aspects of pediatrics
Pediatrics ( also spelled ''paediatrics'' or ''pædiatrics'') is the branch of medicine that invo ...
''). He also created a special council to review drug advertising in ''JAMA''. The council rejected advertisements when it felt like the benefits of a product had not been adequately proven. The AMA underwent reorganization during Simmons' tenure, and he took on the dual role of JAMA editor and AMA general secretary.
Dermatologist William A. Pusey recalled Simmons as "the leading spirit" of the AMA. Pusey commented on Simmons' unique personality, writing, "He was a noble character... a man whom his intimates learned to love. He was not gruff or irritable, but he was not easy to know. He did not carry his feelings on his sleeve, but he had deep affection and admiration."[
Simmons remained the AMA general secretary until 1911, and he retained significant influence within the AMA after that.] He served as editor of ''JAMA'' until 1924, when he tendered his resignation and was appointed editor and general manager emeritus by the journal's trustees. Upon his retirement, a banquet was held in his honor, and the speakers included William James Mayo
William James Mayo (June 29, 1861 – July 28, 1939) was a physician and surgeon in the United States and one of the seven founders of the Mayo Clinic. He and his brother, Charles Horace Mayo, both joined their father's private medical practice ...
and Harvey Cushing
Harvey Williams Cushing (April 8, 1869 – October 7, 1939) was an American neurosurgeon, pathologist, writer, and draftsman. A pioneer of brain surgery, he was the first exclusive neurosurgeon and the first person to describe Cushing's disease. ...
.[ ]Morris Fishbein
Morris Fishbein Doctor of Medicine, M.D. (July 22, 1889 – September 27, 1976) was an American physician and editor of the ''Journal of the American Medical Association'' (''JAMA'') from 1924 to 1950.
Ira Rutkow's ''Seeking the Cure: A Hist ...
, who was Simmons' editorial assistant at ''JAMA'', became his successor.[
]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simmons, George H.
1852 births
1937 deaths
Physicians from Nebraska
JAMA editors
People from Lincoln, Nebraska
People from Moreton-in-Marsh