The inscribed stones placed in this circle represent only a few of the many historic persons and events that have contributed to the practice of medicine. They only scratch the surface of the list of many physicians, scientists, and technicians who have led humanity to a place of understanding of the workings of the human body and the resultant scientific weapons that wage war against disease today. Many of the people enshrined on these pavers were often great risk-takers, daring to confront imperfect knowledge and attitudes that were guarded by religious dogma, secular politics, societal norms, or at least, the ridicule of their peers. As with all historic figures, and all human beings, they are also complicated figures, whose legacies are sometimes clouded by flawed or unfair judgements or controversial views.

There are always spaces in this timeline, large or small, between these people and events; on this list of Western Scientific achievements, there is no acknowledgement of the many important contributions of the great physicians of the Golden Age of Islam, ancient China, or India, but it is possible to reflect that they do exist amid these achievements.

It is impossible to convey the full stories of these people and events in three lines of 20 characters each, so we have made more information available on this website. It will grow as new pavers are added to the History of Scientific Medicine Circle.

Please also note that this is a work in progress, and more mile"stones" will be added to this circle in the coming year. 

We are very grateful to the Dearborn-Ohio County Medical Society for their generous support of this milestones cirlce, a gift made by the Society in memory of the many excellent physicians who have served there.