Amos Christie

Amos Christie received his M.D. from the University of California. In 1943, he arrived at Vanderbilt University as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. During his time at Vanderbilt, he studied histoplasmosis, a fungal disease simulating tuberculosis, and received a John Phillips Award from the American College of Physicians for this work. In the 1940s he integrated his African American patients into the same ward as his white patients, which speaks to his goal of providing high quality care to all patients. He also successfully treated patients for polio, including Olympic athlete Wilma Rudolph. After Dr. Christie retired in 1968, he lent his wisdom and experience to the Student Health Coalition, continuing to provide quality health care to the underprivileged.

Related Content:

Article: “Health Care for those off the beaten path,” from the Tennessee Valley Authority

Kollar, Robert. “Health care for those off the beaten path.” Tennessee Valley Authority, post-1975. View PDF.  More on the Tennessee Valley Authority: Continued

Irwin Venick on what prompted development of the Center for Health Services

Irwin Venick characterizes the formation of the Center for Health Services (CHS) as an “institutional overlay imposed upon from on high” rather than an impulse among Coalition participants. He explains that most of the university-driven energy to formalize and take… Continued

Reflections on the level of care at SHC health fairs

Tom John and Rick Davidson retrospectively comment on the level and quality of care provided at the Student Health Coalition summer health fairs, and how theses experiences shaped their own understanding of and perspective on healthcare.   Full footage of… Continued

Pete Moss reflects

On training nurses, reuniting with fellow Coalitioners, and being a non-conformist.   Learn more about Pete Moss on his profile page.  Continued

The story behind the photograph

[Story contributed by Richard Davidson, M.D.] After an initial scouting year in the summer of 1969, the Student Health Coalition (SHC) began health fairs and community organizing in Appalachia in the summer of 1970. After several months of hard work,… Continued

Amos Christie Papers, Eskind Library, Vanderbilt University

Personal papers of Amos Christie, pediatrician, child health advocate, beloved Vanderbilt professor, and humanitarian. Dr. Christie is best known for his research in histoplasmosis, known as the “Vanderbilt disease,” but he was also instrumental in integrating Vanderbilt’s pediatrics ward in… Continued

SHC’s patient-centered healthcare and its role in the expansion of Nurse Practitioners

Carolyn Burr discusses the Student Health Coalition’s (SHC) approach to healthcare, emphasizing their value of patient/community involvement and accountability. She describes Dr. Amos Christie’s direct influence on her own nursing career, as well as on the profession moving forward–namely as… Continued