Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
William Spencer, MD papers
Date(s)
- 1954-2009 (Creation)
Extent
82.5 cubic feet (123 boxes)
Name of creator
Biographical history
William Albert Spencer born on February 16, 1922 in Oklahoma City. He went to Georgetown University for his Bachelor’s degree and was first in his class in medical school at John Hopkins University. Beginning in 1951 Dr. Spencer would lead staff at Baylor College of Medicine to address the polio epidemic. This research paved the way for Baylor to become one of the most prominent rehabilitation facilities in the country. He would become founder of The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research, or TIRR, which opened its doors on May 30, 1959. Today the hospital is officially part of the Memorial Hermann Hospital system. Throughout his life Dr. Spencer would treat patients, often children and young adults, and conduct research regarding traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. Dr. Spencer served twenty-eight years as TIRR’s president and became known as the “Father of Modern Rehabilitation”; hospitals around the globe modeled their rehabilitation programs after it (Wendler, 2009, p.16). The TIRR was a facility ahead of its time under Dr.Spencer’s leadership. After the development of personal computers, Dr.Spencer petitioned IBM to link the computers (now known as networking) at TIRR and Baylor College of Medicine.
In his nonmedical life, Dr. Spencer would tinker with a number of inventions or other projects. These engineering projects would lead him to develop the physiography, which ended up being an early version of its predecessor the EKG. Dr. Spencer was married twice, first to Helen Hart in 1945 and then to Jean Amspoker in 1984. Jean predeceased him in 2005. Dr. Spencer died on February 18, 2009.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The William Spencer, MD papers contains correspondence, financial records, grant records, building schematics, tour schedules, newspaper clippings, telegrams, financial records, academic publications, government testimony, congressional records, research, lectures, and legal records documenting the life of Dr. William Spencer.
William Spencer born on February 16, 1922 in Oklahoma City. He went to John Hopkins University for medical school and was first in his graduating class. Beginning in 1951 Dr. Spencer would lead staff at Baylor College of Medicine to address the polio epidemic. Consequently, ground-breaking research was conducted paving the way for the facility to become one of the most prominent rehabilitation facilities in the country. He would become founder of The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research, or TIRR, and the facility opened its doors on May 30, 1959. Today the hospital is officially part of the Memorial Hermann hospital system. Throughout his life Dr. Spencer would treat patients and conduct research regarding traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries, many of his patients being children or youth. Dr. Spencer in his twenty-eight years serving as TIRR’s president became known as the “Father of Modern Rehabilitation” as hospitals around the globe modeled their rehabilitation programs after TIRR (Wendler, 2009, p.16). The TIRR was a facility ahead of its time under Dr.Spencer’s leadership. After the development of personal computers, Dr.Spencer petitioned IBM to link the computers (now known as networking) at TIRR and Baylor College of Medicine.
In his nonmedical life, Dr. Spencer would tinker with a number of inventions or other projects. These engineering projects would lead him to develop the physiography, which ended up being an early version of its predecessor the EKG. Dr. Spencer was married twice, his first wife being Helen Spencer and his second wife being Jean Spencer, who had passed away before him in 2005.
Subjects: Pediatrics. The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Some restrictions.
Physical access
Materials are in good condition. Some rust and water damage.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Some restrictions apply. Consult an archivist.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Extensive inventory available as a spreadsheet.
Uploaded finding aid
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Deed-1
Immediate source of acquisition
William Spencer and TIRR. TIRR librarian has sent inventories to the archives.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Accrual are expected.
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Notes element
Specialized notes
- Citation: William Spencer, MD papers; MS 099; John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center, Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library. Please cite the box and folder numbers where appropriate.
Alternative identifier(s)
TARO
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (Houston, Tex.) (Subject)
- Baylor College of Medicine (Subject)