George C. Ham, MD

George Ham Society

The George C. Ham Society
UNC Department of Psychiatry Alumni Association

The Legacy of George C. Ham

The Department of Psychiatry was created, along with the other clinical departments, when the School of Medicine expanded from a two-year pre-clinical medical school to a fully accredited school of medicine in 1952. Charged with developing a training pipeline for psychiatrists to staff North Carolina's growing mental health system, the Department's founding chair, George Calverno Ham, M.D., emphasized a progressive integration of biological and social factors with then-traditional psychological approaches in the study and treatment of psychiatric illnesses. Ham’s vision also included an appreciation of the synergy among the Department's three missions of clinical service, training, and research. Dr. Ham soon secured a permanent home for his Department, the new South Wing building, which was later incorporated into Memorial Hospital, the forerunner of UNC Hospitals. Others followed in Ham’s footsteps and built on the cornerstone that he laid. As leaders, teachers, trainers, clinicians, and researchers - many have played a part in molding the foundation of the Department. What we see before us today and what we will continue to see in the future is a direct reflection of Dr. Ham’s dedication to the success of this department.

Dr. Ham's special contributions came in part through his relationship with the late NC State representative John Umstead. Together they identified the resources and recruited the personnel to start the Department on it was to being recognized as one of the best in the United States. In a parallel and complementary effort, the four State Hospitals were constantly upgraded through extension of training programs from Chapel Hill and by national and international recruiting. Dr. Ham had the unusual ability to see what was needed and the talent and energy to accomplish it.

In honor of Ham’s legacy and to celebrate the memory of his life, the George C. Ham Society, the Department’s alumni association, was created in 1985, several years after his death. The purpose of the Society’s organization was to honor Ham’s achievements and to provide an annual meeting for alumni, a meeting with as much emphasis on scientific matters as on social interaction. Since its existence, its member base has climbed to reach nearly 900 people and increases every year as new residents join the elite group. Every fall, the Society hosts a weekend of continuing medical education activities, including an annual update in psychiatry and a symposium featuring nationally acclaimed speakers. In November 2002, Society members celebrated the 50th birthday of the department during this weekend. Members from the Class of 1957 fondly recalled tales of George Ham and his professionalism; members of the Class of 2002 sat in on lectures and got a taste of what the department means to so many.

For questions or more information, please contact the UNC Department of Psychiatry’s Office of External Relations at 919-966-9115 or 919-962-9427.

Ham Society 2002, Dr. Golden, Dr. Houpt and Dr. Lieberman