A study in post-Flexner survival. The Medical College of the State of South Carolina, 1913

The Flexner report of 1910 resulted in the closing of many marginal medical schools and opened a new era in medical education in the United States. Caught in Abraham Flexner's net were several old schools with long histories and, as he said, "traditions and a certain present dignity" that lacked the minimum resources needed to meet the standards of the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association. One example was the Medical College of the State of South Carolina. It was consigned to oblivion in Flexner's plan, but survived. Dean Robert Wilson, MD, in his efforts to save his school, turned politician, enlisted the aid of the state's highly controversial governor, and initiated an effective lobbying campaign in the state legislature. The Council on Medical Education became involved unofficially in the person of its secretary, Nathan P. Colwell, MD. His presence in South Carolina was turned to advantage by Wilson and others and contributed substantially to the success of their efforts.