William Spencer, MD papers

Identity elements

Reference code

MS 099

Level of description

Collection

Title

William Spencer, MD papers

Date(s)

  • 1954-2009 (Creation)

Extent

82.5 cubic feet (123 boxes)

Name of creator

(1922-2009)

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

00217

Description control element

Rules or conventions

Sources used

Access points

Place access points

Accession area