Our History

Caring for the Community in Practice for Over 100 Years

Founded in 1917, DCMSAF is the oldest medical auxiliary in the country. The organization served as a model for other medical auxiliaries throughout the United States that were founded in the early twentieth century. It was started by a group of doctors’ wives who saw the need to serve as World War I was waging in Europe and the US had declared war on Germany the month before. They set service to the Red Cross as their primary project and their primary motives were patriotism, philanthropy and fellowship.

As the Auxiliary evolved through many milestones including the 1974 gift of Rena Aldredge’s home on Swiss Avenue to serve as the group’s headquarters, the ranks of doctors’ wives were joined in serving the community by physicians – both male and female. They were all dedicated to the healthcare needs of Dallas County residents. Along the way the name was changed from Auxiliary to Alliance, in keeping with the AMA and TMA groups by that name. After the DCMSA Foundation was created as the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit owner of the Aldredge House, the DCMS Alliance was given the status of a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. The combined organizations, referred to most commonly as “the Alliance” or “Medical Alliance” provides educational programs, community outreach, support for other like nonprofits and fellowship to its members with a focus on ensuring patients’ access to medical care in Texas and supporting the medical community in its efforts to deliver this care. Recent additions of Alliance Retired Physicians, Young Alliance, Alliance Women in Medicine and Alliance Physicians in Training have added numbers, variety and enrichment to its membership as well as its programming.

What follows is a chronological list capturing the beginning years of the Alliance, milestones reached and awards given recognizing the efforts of the organization and its members.

May 1917
Woman’s Auxiliary to the Dallas County Medical Society was created as the first permanent woman’s county medical auxiliary in nation, organized by a group of Dallas doctor’s wives. Mrs. John McReynolds was elected president and the group voted to support Red Cross work.

May 1918
Mrs. E.H. Cary of Dallas was elected first president of the auxiliary to the Texas Medical Association. The three-fold motive was patriotism, philanthropy and fellowship.

May 1922
Dr. E.H. Cary of Dallas presented the proposal that a Woman’s Auxiliary to the AMA be organized. The resolution was approved, and 23 women from 10 states elected Mrs. S.C. Red of Houston the first national president.

May 1927
Mrs. John McReynolds of Dallas was elected president of the national
auxiliary.

1930’s
A gift of $500 by Mrs. McReynolds in memory of her mother was the
foundation for the establishment of the Physician’s Benevolent Fund –
Medical Student Loan Fund.

1940’s
Library Fund established. Auxiliary supported the effort through Red
Cross, bond drives and other efforts. Southwestern Medical School
established. Health Museum opened, only the second of its kind in the country.

1950’s
Edith Cavell Nursing Scholarship established. Future Nurse Clubs established in area high schools. The Medical Alliance was one of the founding organizers of the first Health Fair in Texas held in Dallas.

1960’s
Auxiliary continues programs of health education, health awareness and philanthropy.

1970’s
Aldredge House becomes permanent home for the auxiliary, dedicated in
1975. Aldredge House was chosen as Kappa Alpha Theta Designers showcase. The TV show “Dallas” filmed the first episodes with the Aldredge House for interior scenes. “Facets” replaces “MD’s Wife” as the name of the national auxiliary magazine, submitted from Dallas. Name changed to the Dallas County Medical Society Auxiliary and was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.

1980’s
Aldredge House cookbook published. Health and Science Museum becomes
Science Place. First Health Check held at Valley View Mall. The Aldredge House
recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

1990’s
Health Education, promoting healthy lifestyles and philanthropy, continues
to be the focus. The organization changed its name to the Dallas County
Medical Society Alliance, and celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1992 and its
80th Anniversary in 1997.

2004
Name was changed to Dallas County Medical Society Alliance Foundation
with a mission to promote health education, preserve and maintain the historic
Aldredge House, and provide financial support to other 501(c)(3) organizations.

2005
A new 501(c)(6) organization was established using the now available name, Dallas County Medical Society Alliance. Members enjoy educational programs, Fellowship, opportunities for volunteering and can advocate for medicine with legislators.

2007
DCMSAF celebrated its 90th birthday and launched its own
new health project entitled “E.C.H.O.” for Encouraging Children to
Healthy Options.

2010
DCMSAF renewed the Community Health Fair with the event held at
Church of the Incarnation on McKinney for low-income families in the
75204 zip code.

2011
TMAA Award for Dedication to the Mission.

2012
TMAA Award for Alliance of the Future.

2014
Aldredge House wins the Preservation Dallas 2014 Achievement Award
that recognizes outstanding projects involving the preservation, rehabilitation
and enhancement of Dallas’ historic buildings and neighborhoods.

2015
AMAA Award for Social Media Excellence

2016
TMAA Award for Recognition for Perseverance in Activities to Save the Historic Aldredge House Southern Medical Association Alliance Award for Outstanding Year Regarding Efforts to Save the historic Aldredge House
TMAA Award for Recognition for Membership Increase in 2015

2017
Centennial of DCMSAF and Aldredge House Receipt of second Texas Historic marker recognizing the DCMSAF as the first medical auxiliary in the country and commemorated its centennial Preservation Dallas gave its Stewardship Award to DCMSAF for its outstanding work to preserve the Aldredge House
Received TMAA award recognizing our Alliance for its 100 years of service and for being first Alliance in the country

2018
Aldredge House designated as a Historic House Museum and Meeting Place.
DCMSA co-sponsored with Laura Bush Institute for Women’s Health a program on the first successful uterine transplant. Installed the first male president of DCMSAF, Robert Gunby, MD, who was also on the team for the first successful uterine transplant celebrated the same year

2019
Scholarship Fund reached milestone of $500,000 for endowment support for scholarships

2020
Joining the rest of the country, adjusted to virtual meetings and programs in compliance with CDC recommendations regarding the Covid-19 global pandemic
Almost all meetings, including Installation of DCMSA&F boards by Zoom
Implemented partnership to serve Bayles Elementary School and to work directly with DISD on immunizations. Established four new membership groups to join the core group of Classic Members – Retired Physicians, Women in Medicine, Young Alliance and Physicians in Training Husband and wife medical couple, Drs. Sandra Brothers and Mike Holub, represented another leadership first for physicians as a physician couple serving as Alliance Foundation Co-Vice Presidents

2021
Continuing operating under CDC Guidelines because of the global COVID-19 pandemic; meetings and programs continued to be by the virtual meeting platform.
Working with an attorney, the organization undertook a vast bylaws review and restructuring process, resulting in simplification of the bylaws for both the 501(c)(3) and the 501(c)(6) entities. In the spring of 2021, the Medical Alliance launched a new website.