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Who We Are

The LaPorte County Medical Society is a non-profit, voluntary, professional, medical organization that unites the over 300 practicing physicians that live or work in LaPorte County, Indiana. The Society serves its members through legislative representation and continuing medical education sponsorship.

The Society was founded in 1875. The LaPorte County Medical Society currently has over 140 members.

The strength of the Society lies in its members who work tirelessly for the general welfare of practicing physicians, the public and the community as a whole.

General membership meetings are held five times a year on the third Tuesday of each month.  Members are given an opportunity to share concerns, enjoy camaraderie and earn category one Continuing Medical Education (CME) training credits.

medical organization, LaPorte County, LaPorte County Indiana, continuing medical education, medical legislation, practicing physicians - LaPorte County Medical Society

Board meetings are also held once every other month for members of the Society Board of Directors.

For additional information on the LaPorte County Medical Society, please click here. For access to an online membership application, please click here.

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Our Vision

To improve the art and science of medicine in LaPorte County.

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Our Mission

The LaPorte County Medical Society is the “medical voice” for advancing the health and wellness of all LaPorte County citizens. The LaPorte County Medical Society is dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of the health and well-being of the citizens of LaPorte County and all of Northern Indiana. The Society also advocates for physician and patient rights through local, state and national civic and government agencies and forums.

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Message from the President

Welcome to the LaPorte County Medical Society web site. The purpose of this web site is to facilitate Society member communication and offer LaPorte County citizens a “one-stop-shop” for their medical inquires.

We provide our membership with a unified and strong medical voice in local and state medical legislation and medical related public policy matters. With ongoing member support, we pledge to help you fight the legislation, regulation, taxation and fees that come between us and our patient’s welfare. 

The LaPorte County Medical Society Board of Governors pledges to assist you with the many challenges facing the medical profession and individual practices. The more members we can count, the stronger our collective voice is in Indianapolis.     

On behalf of the Society’s Board of Governors, I would lake to thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to a healthful future. 

Sincerely,
Eric P. Wohlrab, MD, MPH

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Board of Directors and Officers

President James Cornwell, M.D.
Vice President   Joseph Arulandu, M.D.
Secretary-Treasurer Charles Tattersall, M.D.
ISMA Delegates Eric Wohlrab, M.D.
  Joseph Arulandu, M.D.
  Charles Tattersall, M.D.
ISMA Alternate Richard Gnaedinger, M.D.
Delegates    Algimantas Galinis, M.D.
  Richard Houck, M.D.
Judicial Counselors Richard Gnaedinger, M.D.
  James Hartson, M.D.
  Eric Wohlrab, M.D.
Members At Large Jeffrey Anderson M.D.
  Jagjeevan Gandra, M.D.
  Vidya Kora, M.D.
  Brian Moore, M.D.
  William Biehl III, M.D.

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History

The Constitution of the LaPorte County Medical Society is recorded in pages 534-537 of Miscellaneous Record book, LaPorte County Recorder’s Office at the LaPorte County Court House,  LaPorte, IN, dated 25 September 1875.

In part:

Art. 1—Name and Style (sic)

The name and title of the Society shall be the “LaPorte County Medical Society’ and shall be auxiliary to, and under the control of the Indiana State Medical Society.

Art. 2—Objects

The objects of this Society shall be the advancement of medical knowledge; the elevation of professional character; the protection of the interests of its members; the extension of the bounds of medical science; the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering, and to improve the health and protect the lives of the community.

Art. 3—Members

Any graduate in medicine of a respectable medical school, or licentiate of any regularly organized medical society who is in good moral and professional standing, or any practitioner who may present a certificate of qualification to practice medicine from the Board of Censors of this City, upon signing the Constitution and paying two (2) dollars to the Treasurer, shall be entitled to full membership by a vote of the Society.

medical organization, LaPorte County, LaPorte County Indiana, continuing medical education, medical legislation, practicing physicians - LaPorte County Medical Society

Art. 4—Officers

The officers of this Society shall be a President, Secretary, Treasurer and three Censors.

There are a total of 15 articles of incorporation, including “Duties of Officers, Quorum, Powers and Duties, Forfeiture of Membership, Withdrawal, Expelled Members, Funds, Code of Ethics, Amendments, Seal, Pledge”.

Those who paid $2 and whose names appear on the original Articles of Incorporation are:

  • T. Higday
  • Geo. L. Andrew
  • Landon C. Rose
  • Ephriam A. Rogers
  • Theophilus Fravel
  • Nelson J. Darling
  • A. G. Stevenson
  • F. W. Denke
  • L. S. Keen

All of the above were from the City of LaPorte.

The document was filed and recorded September 25, 1875

H. C. Brown, Recorder, LaPorte County
By F.G. Andrew

An article from the Michigan City NEWS, dated Wednesday, June 7, 1905, page 4 reports a meeting of the LaPorte County Medical Society in honor of the organization’s 30-year anniversary. Only two of the original charter members were alive and present at the meeting: George L. Andrew, the Society’s first President, and Nelson S. Darling, it’s first Secretary of the group. 

In 1905, there were 33 members and the officers were:

  • Dr. F. T. Wilcox, President
  • Dr. Whitefield Bowers, Vice-President
  • Dr. F. A. McGrew, Secretary
  • Dr. F. R. Warren, Treasurer

Exhibits and reports were made of clinical cases at the courthouse after which Dr. A. G. Tillotson of Michigan City read a paper on “Epidemic Cerebro-spinal Meningites” followed by a discussion thereon led by Dr. H. H. Martin.  Dr. L. A. Wilson of Kingsbury read a paper on “The Sequelaes of La Grippe.”  Dr. E. G. Blinks led the discussion.  “The Management of Normal Labor” was treated by Dr. J. B. Rogers with a discussion led by Dr. E. F. Crawford of Hanna following. 

In the evening, a celebration of the founding took place at the Teegarden Hotel, with guests of honor Drs. Andrew and Darling.  Dr. J. H. Wm. Meyer acted as toastmaster with the following program of toasts:  “The Founders,” Dr. N. S. Darling; “Reminiscences,” Dr. G. L. Andrew; “The Rights of Old Age,” Dr. Whitefield Bowers; “The Doctor’s Wife,” Mrs. H. W. Wilson and “A Rose-Colored Horoscope,” Dr. F. T. Wilcox.

The preceding is courtesy of the files of Fern Eddy Schultz, LaPorte County, Indiana Historian and was part of a 2002 program presented by Schultz at the LaPorte Hospital entitled “Medical History Extravaganza”.

For additional information on the LaPorte County Medical Society, please click here.

Click here for an application for membership to The LaPorte County Medical Society

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LaPorte County Medical Society • 402 Franklin St. • Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: 219-878-9024 • E-Mail Us

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