A graduate of Cornell Medical School, Dr. Addison B. Scoville Jr. came to Vanderbilt in 1939 as a resident. Upon receiving the National Research Council Fellowship, he became an instructor in pathology in 1942. Moving into private practice, Scoville joined Dr. Thomas F. Frist to form the Frist-Scoville Medical Group in 1946. Scoville served as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt throughout his career and was also honored with the title of Clinical Professor of Medicine, Emeritus. He retired from private practice in 1979 when he assumed his position as executive director for Alumni Services.

Scoville served on the board and as president of the American Diabetes Association. He was also the chair of both the Metropolitan Board of Health and the Board of Directors of the Nashville Academy of Medicine. Scoville also served on the board of the Nashville Chapter of the America Cancer Society. A fully endowed professorship in medicine was established in Scovilles honor in 1985, and the American Diabetes Association established the Scoville Award in his name. Scoville has also served as the assistant editor for the Southern Medical Journal of the Tennessee Medical Association. He passed away in 1998.