Who We Are

The Worcester District Medical Society, established in 1794 is the 3rd oldest medical society in the country. We are a not-for-profit organization representing over 2,400 physician members and medical students in Central Massachusetts. WDMS members and staff connect with the community on behalf of organized medicine and support physicians in caring for their patients. We are dedicated to enhancing the health of Central Mass residents through science, quality and ethics in the practice of medicine.

The Worcester Medical Library, Inc. was founded by the Society in 1798. The Library is dedicated to supporting educational programs for physicians and to maintaining resources on the history of medicine. In 1973 its collection was brought to the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School to establish a rare book room in the Lamar Soutter Library and an on-going partnership with the medical school library. In August, 2002, the Library provided the Lamar Soutter Library with a gift to establish the Humanities in Medicine Collection.

Society dues include membership to the Worcester Medical Library, entitling members to access the many services available at the Lamar Soutter Library.

The Massachusetts Medical Society, our parent organization, was founded in 1781, to “advance medical knowledge {and} to develop and maintain the highest professional and ethical standards of medical practice and healthcare.

The Massachusetts Medical Society is the oldest continuously operating medical society in the country with more than 25,000 members.

Click here to read a message from our President