Olin West, Sr. Biographical File

Dr. Olin West was a public health expert on smallpox and a primary figure in early development of the Tennessee State Department of Health. Born at Gadsden, Alabama on July 12, 1874, his preliminary education was received at Howard College in Alabama. He received his M.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical Department in 1898. In 1910, after twelve years of practice in Nashville and fifteen years as a member of the faculty of Vanderbilt University, first as instructor and later as assistant professor and associate professor in chemistry, Dr. West became director for the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission and International Health Board in Tennessee where he led the effort against hookworm infection. He served as Secretary and Chief Executive for the Tennessee Board of Health from 1918-1922. Then Dr. West served as Secretary of the A.M.A. from 1922-1946, and later was elected to the office of President-elect of the A.M.A. in 1946. Poor health prevented his nomination and election to the office of President. He died in Nashville, June 20, 1952.