A hearty welcome from the Buckeye State! Join us in Columbus, OH for the annual meeting of the Archivists and Librarians in the History of the Health Sciences and the Medical Museums Association on the campus of the Ohio State University.
Program Highlights
An exciting program of tours, traditional paper/presentations and lightning talks awaits ALHHS and MeMA members. Wednesday and Thursday tour options will include the Museum of Biodiversity, Orton Geological Museum, the Medical Heritage Center, and special tours of historic German Village led by Village resident historians.
We are excited to welcome this year's Keynote speaker Jenny Robb, curator of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum was established in 1977 with the founding gift of artwork and papers of alumnus Milton Caniff, famous for 'Terry and the Pirates' (1934-1946) and 'Steve Canyon' (1947-1988), both landmarks in newspaper comics. Today the collection includes 30,000 original cartoons, 45,000 books and 2.5 million comic strips and newspaper clipping. "Drawing Blood: Comics and Medicine", a special exhibit about medical cartoons will open on April 20th and be available for viewing throughout the ALHHS/MeMA conference.
With the recent discussion of a possible merger of ALHHS and MeMA, the program committee has arranged a special-focus panel on intersections and partnerships between museums and libraries/archives. The session will feature four presentations, plus commentary from James Edmonson, former Chief Curator of the Dittrick Medical History Center.
For the first time, the annual meeting will feature a poster session, and later an extended break allowing time to chat with poster presenters.
Venue
The 2019 annual meeting will be held at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital on the campus of the Ohio State University. The James is the largest cancer hospital in the Midwest and the third largest in the nation. Recognizing that art is good for the body and soul, the James is filled with art in an effort to lift the spirits of patients, their visiting families and friends. Staff members took another step forward on Feb. 16, 2018 with the grand opening of The James Art Gallery. Be sure to visit the large, welcoming exhibit space at the top of the grand staircase in The James' lobby features rotating exhibits and artists with Ohio connections.
Accommodations
Hotel accommodations have been arranged at Columbus's Hyatt Regency Hotel, conveniently located adjacent to food, drink, and cultural hotspots, including history German Village, the Brewery, the Arena Districts, and the Short North Arts District. The recently renovated hotel, featuring 631 rooms and suites, is located at 350 North High Street and is easily accessed via car or public transportation. Other hotels -- and important information about Getting Around and Experiencing Columbus -- are included in Welcome and Preliminary Information.
IMPORTANT ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION: Hotel room rates have been negotiated by the American Association for the History of Medicine (AAHM). In order to receive the AAHM-contracted room rate of $173 a night plus local taxes of 17.5%, please use the "Conference Hotel" section at the AAHM2019 website and use the special room-rate code G-AAHM. In addition: in order to make a reservation that includes Tuesday night, you must call the hotel, not use the online registration form!
Getting to Columbus
Columbus is served by John Glenn Columbus International Airport located 6 miles east of downtown. Delta, United, Spirit, and Alaska Airlines are just a few of the carriers that fly out of the airport.
Amtrak does not stop in Columbus; the nearest station is Cincinnati, from which travelers have to take a long distance bus to reach Columbus.
Getting Around
Transportation to the Hyatt Regency from the airport is provided by COTA AirConnect for just $2.75 each way. The shuttle leaves every thirty minutes and runs from 6 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.
For sightseeing, there is much in walking distance from the hotel. You may also use the complimentary CBUS bus line, which runs the length of High Street from Italian Village, south to Short North, the Arena District, and to German Village and the Brewery District.
For destinations further away, Columbus is very accessible via ride-hailing services such as Lyft and Uber. Taxis are also a great option, although they typically must be ordered in advance.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Columbus!
Judith Wiener, LAC Chair
Jennifer Nieves, MeMA LAC Co-Chair
