BYU

Harold B. Lee Library

The Brigham Young University Student Health Center

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Student Health Service was established in 1946 with one doctor and one nurse.  With the expansion of campus and the student population, the existing service soon became inadequate. Consequently, the Howard S. McDonald Student Health Center was completed in 1955, though it shared the building with the Air Force ROTC unit.  The center was expanded further and renamed more plainly as the Student Health Center in 1997. The remarkable history of the evolution of Brigham Young University can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives.  The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of the Brigham Young University Student Health Center.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

  • Histories of Brigham Young University
    • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975
    • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976

Primary Sources

  • Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University Student Health Center: A sample of the materials that contain information about the Student Health Center. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
    • UA 499 Records, 1940-1959 Records of the McDonald Student Health Center. Includes reports, records, and correspondence concerning the operation of the Health Center.
    • UA 819 McDonald Student Health Center reports, 1966-1989 Eleven reports concerning various topics such as student and faculty views of BYU counseling and health centers; quality of clinical services; statistics of marital status, age, dependents, year in college, gender, employment status, and other factors; insurance coverage; and finances. Also includes a brief chronology of the history of the McDonald Health Center.
    • UA 5312 Student Health Center minutes This collection contains minutes from meetings of the Brigham Young University Health Center from 1975 to 1984.
  • Sample Materials related to the Student Health Center:
    • UA 183 Records, 1946-1960 Records of Wesley Lloyd, Dean of Students, 1945-1960. Collections includes correspondence, minutes, memoranda, pamphlets, reports, publications, and agendas concerning various BYU departments, including health services.
    • UA OH 115 Oral history, 1978-1983 Dr. Cullimore was interviewed by Hollis Scott on 28 June 1978 as part of the Joint Oral History Project for the Brigham Young University Archives and Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. The interview transcribed in 1983. The material centers on the 1920s and is mostly concerned with the early years of the BYU health center. Cullimore reminisces about BYU personalities such as Benjamin Cluff and Ernest L. Wilkinson. He talks about student health and also shares his ideas on preventative medicine, nutrition, rest homes, and practical religion.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the evolution of the Brigham Young University Student Health Center. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.