Our History
A Legacy of Excellence - The History & Traditions of Noah
High-caliber scientific programming and lifelong friendships are the hallmarks of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society—a unique organization of private practitioners, academic dermatologists, and pharmaceutical industry leaders.
The idea for the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society was born in 1957, when a group of former residents, fellows, and faculty from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology proposed forming a new professional society. An organizing committee—led by Dr. Alfred L. Weiner—quickly recognized the enthusiasm for a group that would blend academic excellence with enduring personal connections.
The Society’s inaugural meeting was held in April 1958 at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Thirty-eight dermatologists attended, enjoying a robust scientific program and a schedule of social events that established the Society’s hallmark spirit of collegiality and camaraderie. The organization’s constitution was ratified at that meeting, and a charter board of trustees and officers was elected.
To honor an early American pioneer in dermatology, the Society was named after Dr. Noah Worcester, author of the first American textbook of dermatology. A Dartmouth graduate, Worcester came to Cincinnati in 1838 to practice with Dr. R.D. Mussey, Chair of Surgery at the Medical College of Ohio. In 1841, Worcester traveled to Paris to study with renowned physicians and immerse himself in the dermatologic expertise of St. Louis Hospital, then the world’s leading center for skin disease research.
Although dermatology was a secondary interest, Worcester brought his Parisian training back to the U.S., where he lectured and practiced in Cincinnati and Cleveland. He ultimately published his seminal textbook in 1845, shortly before his untimely death from tuberculosis at age 34. He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.
Since its founding, the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society has met annually in the spring, with additional reunions at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meetings. From its beginnings as a small alumni group, the Society has evolved into a nationally respected organization—known for its selective membership, intimate size, high-level scientific programming, and lifelong professional friendships.
As the Society continues to grow, it remains committed to Dr. Worcester’s legacy of inquiry, education, and excellence.
