USDA eradicated New World screwworm from the United States
In 1966, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) eradicated New World screwworm (NWS) from the United States using sterile…
The FDA licensed amantadine, a new antiviral medication, as a prophylactic against influenza A
In 1966, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed amantadine (marketed as Symmetrel) to Du Pont, a…
Federal revenues flowed into Oregon under political leadership of US Senator Mark Hatfield
In 1966, Mark Hatfield served in the State Legislature from 1951-1957; was secretary of state from 1957-1959. He…
Thermus aquaticus was first discovered in Yellowstone National Park
In 1966, Thermus aquaticus was first discovered in the Mushroom Pool of Lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National…
CDC – NASA Technology of Spacecraft Sterilization report released
On Feb. 9, 1965, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – NASA Technology of Spacecraft…
The National Society for Autistic Children was founded
In 1965, the National Society for Autistic Children (later renamed the Autism Society of America) was founded by…
Fred Hutchinson, namesake of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, succumbed to cancer
On Nov. 12, 1964, Fred Hutchinson, a standout pitcher at Seattle’s Franklin High School and ten year pitching…
The Mini-1 was delivered to the University of Washington Hospital
On Jun. 1, 1964, the Mini-1 dialysis machine was delivered to the University of Washington (UW) Hospital and…
Stanford Medicine demonstrated electrical stimulation of auditory nerve in deaf patients, paving the way for cochlear implants
In May 1964, Blair Simmons and a Stanford University colleague implanted a 6-electrode array into the modiolus of…
A virus (the Epstein-Barr virus) was linked to human cancer (Burkitt lymphoma) for the first time
In 1964, a new herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), was discovered in cultured tumor cells derived from a Burkitt…
Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | Measles | NIH | Polio | U.S. Congress | Vaccine
U.S. Congress established the Immunization Grant Program
In 1963, the U.S. Congress established the Immunization Grant Program; polio incidence plummeted to only 396 reported cases…
CDC | Diagnostics | FDA | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | Therapeutics | USDA
The CDC, FDA, and USDA and all state health departments joined together to establish the Salmonella Surveillance Program
In 1963, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Oncology | Radiology | Therapeutics | Women's Health
The Health Insurance Plan (HIP) of Greater New York Study began
In 1963, The Health Insurance Plan (HIP) of Greater New York Study began. HIP was the first randomized…
The Texas Heart Institute was founded
In 1962, The Texas Heart Institute was founded by world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley. Today, the…
The Laboratory of Viral Oncology was established
On Jan. 12, 1961, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Laboratory of Viral Oncology, a new intramural…
Outbreak in South Africa raises possibility of wild birds as a possible reservoir for influenza A viruses
In 1961, influenza virus was first isolated from wild birds in South Africa, from common terns (Sterna hirundo)….
U.S. Surgeon General recommended annual influenza vaccination
In 1960, the U.S. Surgeon General, in response to substantial morbidity and mortality during the 1957-58 pandemic, recommends…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
The first major addition to the University of Washington Health Sciences Building was opened
On May 4, 1959, the first major addition to the University of Washington Health Sciences Building, an eight-story,…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Lester R. Sauvage, MDﾠ founded the Hope Heart Institute
In 1959, Lester R. Sauvage, MD founded the Reconstructive Cardiovascular Research Laboratory as a branch of Providence Seattle…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Polio | Therapeutics | Vaccine
The Salk Institute was envisioned
In 1959, the Salk Institute was initially envisioned by Jonas Salk, M.D., the developer of the polio vaccine,…
The CDC responded to cholera and smallpox epidemics in what is now Bangladesh
In 1958, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent a team of EIS officers to…
Hollister-Stier Laboratories became a subsidiary of Cutter Laboratories
In 1958, Hollister-Stier Laboratories became a subsidiary of Cutter Laboratories. Hollister-Stier Laboratories, located in Spokane, was founded by…
The University of Washington’s Division of Medical Genetics Was Established as one of first units of its kind in America
In 1957, the University of Washington’s (UW) Division of Medical Genetics was established in the Department of Medicine…
New H2N2 flu virus emergedﾠ to trigger a pandemic
In Feb. 1957, a new influenza A (H2N2) virus emerged in East Asia, triggering a pandemic (“Asian Flu”)….
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Non-Profit Research | Radiology | Therapeutics
The Pacific Northwest Research Institute was founded
On Oct. 19, 1956, the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute (PNDRI) was founded by William B. Hutchinson, Sr.,…
Physio-Control was incorporated by Dr. K. William Edmark, a Seattle cardiovascular surgeon
On May 29, 1956, Physio-Control was incorporated by Dr. K. William Edmark, a Seattle cardiovascular surgeon, who was…
Seven students participated in the OMRF Summer Scholar Program, forerunner of the Fleming Scholar Program
In 1956, seven students participated in the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Summer Scholar Program which was originated by…
Diagnostics | Disease | Infectious Disease | Influenza | Life Science History | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Children’s Orthopedic Hospital opened the Northwest’s first Poison Control Center
On Jan. 1, 1956, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital opened the Northwest’s first Poison Control Center to advise callers on…
Deseret Pharmaceutical was founded as Utah’s first manufacturer of disposable medical devices
In 1956, Deseret Pharmaceutical Co. founded by Dale Ballard, James L. Sorenson and Victor Cartwright, created a disposable…
The Virginia Mason Research Center was founded
In 1956, the Virginia Mason Research Center, now known as Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), located…