Finding Aid to the Roberta F. Fenlon Papers, 1939-1986 (bulk
1968-1972)
Christina Mune
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2010
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Roberta F. Fenlon Papers, 1939-1986 (bulk
1968-1972)
Collection number: BANC MSS 89/149 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
- Finding Aid Author(s):
- Christina Mune
- Date Completed:
-
2010
- Finding Aid Encoded By:
- GenX
© 2011 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Roberta F. Fenlon papers
Date (inclusive): 1939-1986
Date (bulk): 1968-1972
Collection Number: BANC MSS 89/149 c
Creator:
Fenlon, Roberta,
1911-1987
Extent:
4 cartons, 2 oversize boxes
6 linear feet
Repository: The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The Roberta Fenlon papers, 1939-1986, include records and
correspondence relating to her professional activity in various medical and healthcare
organizations, most notably her presidency of the California Medical Association
(1970-1971), her presidency of the San Francisco Medical Society, and her tenure at
University of California, San Francisco's School of Medicine.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite
and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these
materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17,
U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of
University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of
the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited
without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively
with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library,
University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Roberta F. Fenlon Papers, BANC MSS 89/149 c, The Bancroft
Library, University of California, Berkeley
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Related Collections
Photographs from the Roberta F. Fenlon papers (graphic). BANC PIC 1989.057-PIC
Oral history interview with Roberta Fenlon : oral history transcript. BANC MSS
91/89 c
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog
California Medical Association
University of California, San
Francisco
Women physicians--History
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Roberta F. Fenlon Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Richard Carlson on
January 30, 1989.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Processing Information
Processed by Christina Mune in 2010.
Biographical Information
Roberta F. Fenlon was born in Clinton, Iowa on June 13, 1911. A prominent local San
Francisco physician, she was active in many state and national medical associations and
organizations. In the 1940s Fenlon began her residency at the University of California San
Francisco Medical Center (known after 1970 as UCSF School of Medicine), where she continued
teaching as a professor of clinical medicine until the early 1980s, while serving on
numerous faculty committees. Fenlon was the first woman elected as president of the San
Francisco Medical Society (SFMS) in 1960. In 1970 she became the first woman elected
president to the California Medical Association (CMA). During her time as president and
after, Fenlon contributed to the CMA's response to state and federal legislation
regarding the expansion of public services for health care and compensation for medical
services. She died on August 31, 1987 in San Francisco.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Roberta F. Fenlon papers document her professional career as a prominent San Francisco
physician and the first female president of the California Medical Association (CMA). The
collection includes records and correspondence relating to her professional activity at the
CMA, the San Francisco Medical Society (SFMS), UCSF and other medical and healthcare
organizations. It also contains notes and transcripts of her speeches, especially during her
tenure as CMA president. Some of Fenlon's writings and notes on various medical
conditions are also included in the collection. Personal correspondence for 1965-1985,
letters of congratulations, and news clippings and press releases of her achievements are
also present. While the collection spans 1939 to 1985, the majority of the material is from
the 1960s-1970s with much of it concentrated on the period of her CMA presidency.
The collection has been divided into three series: Series 1. Professional Activities
including subseries for CMA, UCSF and all other organizations and subject files; Series 2.
Writings and Addresses; and Series 3. Personalia. Though arranged into these series,
original folder titles and arrangement of items inside each folder has been maintained.
Series 1:
Professional Activities.
1944-1986
Physical Description:
Cartons 1-2; Carton 3, folders 1-51
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically. Divided into 3 subseries: 1.1 California Medical Association
(CMA); 1.2 University of California, San Francisco; 1.3 Other Organizations/Committees
and Subject Files.
Content/Description
Contains correspondence between Fenlon and organizational heads and members, notes,
meeting minutes and agendas, and reports issued by various organizations, committees and
panels. Subject files consist of collected literature, notes and correspondence
regarding the particular healthcare or medical issue.
Subseries 1.1:
California Medical Association.
1967-1986
Physical Description:
Carton 1; Carton 2, folders 1-10
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Content/Description
Consists of correspondence, minutes, agendas, notes and reports regarding different
committees and issues Fenlon was involved with during and after her tenure as
president of the CMA. Of special note are the papers of the Committee on Evolving
Trends in Society Affecting Life, which formed the CMA's guidelines on
controversial topics such as the interview and examination of rape victims, scientific
experimentation on prisoners, defining death for purposes of organ harvesting and
hospice care.
carton 1, folder 1
Ad Hoc Committee on the Chancellorship of UCSF.
1972
carton 1, folder 2
Ad Hoc Committee to Review Medi-Cal.
1967-1974
carton 1, folder 3
Advisory Panel – Internal Medicine.
1971
carton 1, folder 4
Assembly Office Research.
1970
carton 1, folder 5
CHA Liaison Committee.
1970
carton 1, folder 6
Commission on State Legislature.
1975
carton 1, folder 7
Communications, Radio Station KDIA Speeches.
1970
carton 1, folder 11
Council Agenda (annotated).
1970 July
carton 1, folder 12
Council Agenda (annotated).
1970 September
carton 1, folder 13
Council Agenda (annotated).
1971 January
carton 1, folders 14-19
Committee on Evolving Trends in Society Affecting Life (CETSAL).
1974-1979
carton 1, folder 21-23
Executive Committee.
1970
carton 1, folder 24
Executive Committee Miscellaneous.
1971-1972
carton 1, folder 25
Finance Committee.
1970-1974
carton 1, folder 27
Liaison Committee to California Blue Shield.
1972
carton 1, folder 30
Peer Review (PSRO).
1970-1973
carton 1, folder 32
Therapeutic Abortion Litigation.
1971
carton 1, folder 33
Utilization Committee.
1970
carton 1, folder 34
Woman’s Auxiliary.
1971-1972
carton 1, folder 35
Western Union Telegrams.
1971-1972
carton 2, folders 1-2
CMA Correspondence Received by the Office of the Executive Director.
1971-1972
carton 2, folder 3-6
CMA Correspondence.
1971-1975
carton 2, folders 7-10
CMA Miscellaneous.
1971-1979
Subseries 1.2:
University of California, San Francisco.
1963-1978
Physical Description:
Carton 2, Folders 11-23
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Content/Description
Consists of notes, minutes, agendas, annotated reports and correspondence generated
by various associations and committees that Fenlon served on during her tenure at UCSF
(known as University of California San Francisco Medical Center until 1970). Also
includes a file on admission procedures and reviews for the UCSF School of
Medicine.
carton 2, folder 11
Advisory Committee for Pre-Retirement Planning.
1966-1968
carton 2, folder 12
Alumni-Faculty Association.
1968-1973
carton 1, folders 13-17
Clinical Faculty Association.
1971-1978
carton 2, folder 18
Continuing Education and the Practicing Physician.
1963-1965
carton 2, folder 19
Long Range Development Plan.
1975
carton 2, folder 21
Professional Liability Committee for Medical Staff.
1976
carton 2, folder 23
Miscellaneous Correspondence, Reports and Memos.
1964-1975
Subseries 1.3:
Other Organizations/Committees and Subject Files.
1944-1982
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 24-28; Carton 3, folders 1-51
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Content/Description
Consists of notes, minutes, agenda, annotated reports and correspondence regarding
Fenlon’s activity in various local and national organizations concerned with
healthcare and medical issues. Also included are subject files on specific medical
conditions and issues. Two folders of professional correspondence, keeping their
original folder title of "Correspondence Washington" and
"Correspondence Copies Washington" dating from Fenlon’s
time in Baltimore, Maryland are filed at the end of the subseries.
carton 2, folder 24
Ad Hoc Committee for Suicide Prevention on the Golden Gate Bridge.
1973-1975
carton 2, folder 25
Advisory Panel on Internal Medicine.
1971
carton 2, folder 26
Advisory Panel on National Health Insurance.
1975
carton 2, folder 27
Alliance for Healthcare.
1971-1973
carton 2, folder 28
American Cancer Society.
1971
carton 3, folder 1
American College of Physicians.
1960-1975
carton 3, folder 2
American Geriatrics Society.
1962-1964
carton 3, folder 3
American Medical Association.
1971-1975
carton 3, folder 4
American Medical Women’s Association.
1956-1965
carton 3, folder 5
American Public Health Association.
1966
carton 3, folders 6-8
American Society of Internal Medicine.
1967-1971
carton 3, folder 9
California Academy of Medicine.
1975
carton 3, folder 10
California Association of Home Health Agencies.
1971
carton 3, folder 11
California Council for Health Care Plan Alternatives.
1966-1969
carton 3, folder 12
California Medical Education and Research Foundation.
1972-1976
carton 3, folder 13
California Republicans.
1969
carton 3, folder 14
California Society of Internal Medicine.
1970
carton 3, folder 15
California State Board of Education, Health Advisory Committee.
1967-1968
carton 3, folder 16
California State Board of Medical Examiners.
1962
carton 3, folder 17
California Dental Association.
1972
carton 3, folder 18
CALPAC Board of Directors’ Meeting.
1970-1972
carton 3, folder 19
Casey Bill -- Welfare.
1966
carton 3, folder 21
Citizens Committee on Transportation for the Handicapped.
1967-1970
carton 3, folder 22
City and County of San Francisco Department of Social Services.
1969
carton 3, folder 23
Clinical Immunology.
1978
carton 3, folder 24
Committee on Medical Services.
1970
carton 3, folder 25
Corporate Governance and the Advancement of Women.
1981
carton 3, folder 28
Department of Healthcare Service Regulations (proposed).
1972
carton 3, folder 29
Experimental Health Services Planning.
1971-1973
carton 3, folders 31-32
Health Maintenance Organizations.
1970-1971
carton 3, folder 33
Heart Sounds and Murmurs.
1973
carton 3, folder 34
Himier Report (annotated).
1970
carton 3, folder 35
Home Care Conferences.
1967
carton 3, folder 36
Home Medical Care Advisory Committee.
1962
carton 3, folder 37
Home Services Committee.
1964
carton 3, folder 38
Liaison Committee to Medical Schools.
1971
carton 3, folder 39
Medical Foundations.
1971-1972
carton 3, folder 40
National Health Insurance.
1975
carton 3, folder 41
Preventative Medicine and Public Health.
1971
carton 3, folder 42
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, Health Care Delivery Advisory Committee.
1973
carton 3, folder 43
San Francisco School for Health Professionals.
1972
carton 3, folder 44
Self-help for the Elderly Economic Opportunity Council.
1968
carton 3, folder 45
Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis (patient name information redacted).
1944-1946
carton 3, folder 46
Uuniversity of California Liaison Committee.
1977-1978
carton 3, folder 47
Western Podiatry Congress.
1971
carton 3, folder 48
Westside Community Mental Health Center, Inc.
1972
carton 3, folder 49
Women’s Medical Association.
1964-1965
carton 3, folder 50-51
Correspondence Washington.
1965-1966
Series 2:
Writings and Addresses.
1967-1986
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 52-60; Carton 4, folders 1-5
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Content/Description
Fenlon’s drafts of papers on medical conditions and healthcare issues,
1982-1986. Speech notes and transcripts including speeches on healthcare costs and
Medi-Cal, 1967-1972. Correspondence and notes regarding Fenlon’s work as
technical medical consultant for the AMA book,
Guide to Health
and Well-Being After Fifty
. Note that Fenlon’s speeches for KDIA
Radio are in the CMA subseries 1.1.
carton 3, folder 52
American Medical Association Guide to Health and Well-Being After Fifty
(medical advisor correspondence).
1981-1982
carton 3, folder 53
Government in Medicine Panel Discussion.
1972
carton 3, folder 54
Healthcare Costs Speech.
1967
carton 3, folder 55
Medical Society Speeches (includes correspondence and arrangements).
1970-1971
carton 3, folder 57
Notes on Health Care Plans.
1967
carton 3, folder 58
Notes (Miscellaneous).
1984-1986
carton 3, folder 59
Penicillin Speech.
undated
carton 3, folder 60
Women and Medicine Addresses and Notes.
1971
carton 4, folder 1-4
Speeches (Miscellaneous).
1967-1973
carton 4, folder 5
Writings on Medical Disorders.
undated
Series 3:
Personalia.
1939-1985
Physical Description:
Carton 4, folders 6-19; Oversized boxes 1-2
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Content/Description
Contains news clippings, newsletters, announcements, and periodicals promoting
Fenlon’s appointments to the San Francisco Medical Society and California
Medical Association, as well as her speeches and appearances during her presidency
1970-1971, including three scrapbooks compiled by Fenlon. Also contains personal
correspondence 1966-1985; degrees, awards and certificates spanning her entire education
and career; student/alumni papers and a "biography" folder.
carton 4, folder 6
Announcements of CMA Presidential Appointment.
1970
carton 4, folder 7
Biography (UCSF biographical forms and CVs).
1959-1974
carton 4, folder 9
Congratulations.
1950-1970
carton 4, folders 10-11
Congratulations and Responses.
1970
carton 4, folders 12-16
News Clippings and Press Releases.
1928-1983
carton 4, folder 17
Pathology Reports (Student Paper).
1939-1940
carton 4, folder 18
Personal Correspondence.
1966-1967
carton 4, folder 19
Personal Correspondence.
1971-1985
oversize-box 1, folder 1
Degrees, Awards, and Certificates.
1929-1983
oversize-box 1, folder 2
Loose Clippings and CMA publications found in Scrapbook 1.
1972
oversize-box 1, Scrapbook 1
Clippings of CMA Presidential Election Announcement.
1970-1971
oversize-box 1, Scrapbook 2
Presidents’ Messages written by Fenlon in January-December 1960
editions of SFMA Bulletin.
1960
oversize-box 2, Scrapbook 3
Clippings 1960-1971, gifted to Fenlon from Isabel and Bill Lande.
1960-1971
oversize-box 2
President’s Club of the University of Iowa plaque.
undated
oversize-box 2
Blue Shield of California plaque.
undated