The College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York The College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York was chartered on June 12, 1812, and closed January 26, 1841. Before 1812, the Fairfield Academy was teaching medical courses. A memorandum was sent to the Regents of the State of New York proposing medical courses when the Fairfield Academy was forming in 1802. In 1809 medical instruction was given at what was called the Academy of Medicine of Fairfield. In 1807 the Regents chartered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City which later merged with the Medical Department of Columbia (formerly King's College) in 1813. When the College at Fairfield was chartered, it was the first medical school west of the Hudson River and attracted many well known teachers and graduated many students who would later become known in medical history. Some graduates continued west and started new colleges on the advancing frontier. The advent of new colleges, and their higher salaries for professors, led some of Fairfield's staff to resign. The income from tuition and state grants was not enough to continue the medical college at Fairfield. The last course of lectures was given in 1840. Approximately 600 physicians graduated and spread their techniques and knowledge throughout the United States. The Fairfield Academy and Seminary continued to graduate students who later completed their education and were granted medical degrees by other institutions. Herkimer County Historical Society Copyright ©1997 Jane Dieffenbacher/Martha S. Magill All Rights Reserved.