About Us

About the North Carolina Medical Society

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is a professional organization representing physicians and medical professionals in the state of North Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1849 and has since played a crucial role in advancing healthcare and advocating for the interests of medical professionals and patients.

The primary mission of the North Carolina Medical Society is to promote the highest standards of medical practice and improve the health of the citizens of North Carolina. The society achieves this mission through various activities, including advocacy, education, leadership development, and physician support.

Advocacy is a core function of the NCMS, and it actively engages in legislative and regulatory matters that impact healthcare in the state. The society represents the interests of physicians and patients by providing input on healthcare policies, working with lawmakers to shape legislation, and promoting initiatives that enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

The NCMS also focuses on education and professional development to ensure that its members stay updated with the latest medical advancements and best practices. It offers a range of educational programs, conferences, and workshops to support physicians in their continuous learning and career development.

Leadership development is another area of emphasis for the North Carolina Medical Society. It provides opportunities for physicians to engage in leadership roles within the organization and encourages them to contribute their expertise and insights to shape the future of healthcare in North Carolina.

Additionally, the NCMS offers various resources and services to support physicians in their practice. These include practice management assistance, legal guidance, and access to a network of colleagues for collaboration and support.

The North Carolina Medical Society is governed by a board of directors composed of physicians from different specialties and geographic regions within the state. The society also has numerous committees and sections dedicated to specific areas of medicine and healthcare.

Overall, the North Carolina Medical Society plays a vital role in advocating for physicians and patients, promoting high-quality healthcare, and supporting the professional development of medical professionals in North Carolina.

Mission of the North Carolina Medical Society

To provide leadership in medicine by uniting, serving, and representing physicians and their health care teams to enhance the health of North Carolinians.

NCMS Vision Statement

In all our efforts, we will strive to:

Early History of the NCMS

North Carolina had many skilled and progressive physicians in the late 18th and early 19th centuries; it also had many untrained and unscrupulous practitioners who claimed the title of “doctor.” The lay public often couldn’t distinguish one group from the other. Even the physicians who had bonafide medical training recognized a need to improve medical education and promote a scientific approach to healing. It became obvious that all would benefit if physicians found a rallying point.

Attempts to organize the medical profession were made as early as 1790. In 1799, the state legislature approved a special act creating a corporation with the title: The North Carolina Medical Society.

Unfortunately, the original Medical Society languished and disappeared in the early 1800s. But the idea was too valuable to die. The present Society was organized in 1849, and it has held annual scientific sessions each year since then, except for three years of the Civil War and one year during World War II.

For more of the history behind the NC Medical Society, see 150 Years of Leadership: The History of the North Carolina Medical Society’s Pioneering Physician Leaders