This collection contains the private practice records of Dr. Arpad G. C. Gerster. They span almost his entire career as a surgeon in New York City, from 1881-1923. These records are contained in three bound volumes and five boxes. The patient cards were received in three wooden boxes.
The volumes, which were personalized for Dr. Gerster, contain chronological patient records from January 1, 1881 to July 24, 1906. Each patient record has pre-printed slots for the following information: date, age, name and dwelling, business and nativity, diagnosis, treatment, and remarks. Dr. Gerster completed these categories. However, he often had little or nothing to say under 'remarks' and sometimes did not include 'age.' 'Business' was included less often in later years. Presumably, comments under 'treatment' were not completed when not necessary.
The first volume is entirely in German (except for Latin diagnoses). Some of the early entries in the second volume are in English, and by 1892 they are primarily in English. In the front of each volume is an alphabetical index to patients' case records. The last entry in the third volume is on July 24, 1906.
There is a three year gap between the bound volumes of patient records and the first case in the file boxes, which commences on July 26, 1909. Here, cases numbered from 1 - 442 were recorded on pre-printed cards. Some additional questions are included on these cards. These include: civil state, family history, personal history, previous diseases, date of operation, operator, assistant, anesthetist, anaesthetic, amount and examination of urine (chart to be filled in). On the reverse side are pre-printed anatomical drawings for further notations. These forms were clearly meant for use with patients expecting a surgical procedure. However, these cards were often not completed as many patients did not require surgery. Beginning with case number 444 (January 1911) Dr. Gerster ran out of the pre-printed forms and used plain paper to record his patient information. These records reflect the same information as that on the preprinted cards, however they are more difficult to read.
The patient records reflect a private practice of the time. Although Dr. Gerster functioned as a general physician, his practice revealed a bias towards surgically treatable patients. At this time, it would have been difficult to have an exclusively surgical practice because there would not have been enough business to support it. However, because of Dr. Gerster's abilities and prominence, he came as close as possible to having such a practice. Over the span of the records, the types of cases did not show any significant shift in character. The cases have a great deal of variety. Included among the many diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis, alcoholic hepatitis, acute nephritis, chronic gastritis, double cleft palate, eczema, inguinal hernia, syphilis, vulva cutis, pulmonary tuberculosis, arteriosclerosis, uterine hemorrhage, and many others.
There are a variety of inserts and attachments found throughout the patient records. These include sketches by Dr. Gerster illustrating ailments and abnormalities of patients; correspondence from physicians introducing patients (a number of these are from out of state and many are not in English); pathology lab reports from both the German Hospital and Mount Sinai regarding excised tissue; correspondence from patients; and two radiographic images. (These images are located in: Case Book Number 3, April 17, 1901, and Card File Box 1, in front of Case 104.)
Private patient records such as these are probably uncommon in hospital archives since they do not directly relate to hospital practice. These records are especially interesting because they occur during a period when surgery became safer and more common and when the rise and dominance of surgery as a method of treatment was seen. Additionally, they are of interest because they are the records of Dr. Gerster, an influential and prominent surgeon during his time.
Dr. Gerster's notes end with case number 3670 on February 23, 1923. The patient records continue to October 27, 1923. An unidentified physician apparently took over Gerster's practice shortly before his (Gerster's) death on March 11, 1923.

Correspondence related to the outpatient department regarding admissions policies, staffing, and salary arrangements. Correspondence on clinics includes materials on the Eye Clinic, Gynecological Clinic, Salvarsan Clinic, and Dispensary.

This catalog record includes a video recording made by Dr. Anagnostopoulos, a digital copy of the transcript of that talk and a digital copy of his curriculum vitae and a digital collection of documents regarding the start of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Service. Dr. Constantine Anagnostopoulos dictates reminiscences from his career, focusing on the start of the full-time academic cardiothoracic surgery program at the former St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center of Columbia University in 1992, (AKA Mount Sinai Morningside). Materials include the recording, a transcript of the recording, a copy of Dr. Anagnostopoulos' curriculum vitae and a PDF scrapbook of documents, put together by Dr. Anagnostopoulos, relating to the start of the cardiothoracic program and its continued success.

Memos regarding attempts to cut costs across the Hospital, including surgical costs, laboratory costs, supply and drug costs, personnel costs, and food waste. Includes recommendations from the Medical Board's Committee on Economy.

• https://benlaitman.wixsite.com/website/
• This blog documents Dr. Benny Laitman's experience working in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York. Dr. Laitman is an otolaryngology resident at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Memos and correspondence regarding the appointment, position, and salary of Dr. Howard L. Gadboys. Includes Dr. Gadboys' curriculum vitae and correspondence with his wife after his death.

Two volumes of reprints of published articles.

Memos and correspondence related to the retirement and pension plan of Dr. Alan F. Guttmacher, the first Chief of the combined department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Correspondence addresses Dr. Guttmacher's appointment upon retirement as Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician to the Hospital. Dr. Guttmacher's curriculum vitae is included.

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq6SOYIGjMBcXD6jfjfyT4Q/videos
• This Youtube channel is from the Mount Sinai Department of Neurosurgery. It includes videos put out by the department, including various academic presentations and interviews with neurosurgery residents.

Kark discusses his life and training (originally from South Africa); his work in South African hospitals and the University of Natal medical school; his arrival at Mount Sinai as Director of the Dept. of Surgery; his impressions of the program; affiliations with Greenpoint Hospital and the City Hospital Center at Elmhurst and the reasons for them; his contributions; planning of space in Annenberg; why he resigned; his opinion of Drs. George James, Solomon Berson, Kermit Osserman, John Garlock, Ralph Colp, Leon Ginzburg and Samuel Klein; his opinion of the residency training program. (Interview starts on August 16, 1973 and is continued on August 21, 1973.)

In this engaging interview, Dr. Lorieo describes episodes from his childhood, how he found his way to medicine, and surgery, how he was Influenced and mentored by Drs. Peter Bossart, Hugh Fitzpatrick, Bob Miller, Conrad Lattes, and his interest and involvement in setting up the kidney transplant program. He relates several colorful stories about being on the medical team for the Yankees, Madison Square Garden and the Metropolitan Opera, and the perks of working at these locations, (meeting Muhammad Ali, Clyde Frazier, playing basketball with Marv Albert, etc.).

Of interest is Dr. Lorie’s personal critique of the development of medicine from the 1960s to current practices and sub-specialties. He also briefly touches on how that has effected St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

He also talks about his wife, Jackie, an occupational therapist and a sculptor, and mentions some of the museums that display her artwork, and his two sons and their lives, his life-long model train hobby and his sports interests, as a young boy and more currently, and what activities he will be investing in after his retirement in 2020.