Conquering Polio
In the first half of the 20th century, perhaps no disease caused more fear among U.S. citizen than polio. Epidemics of this debilitating disease were widespread through the country in those years, including a major outbreak in St. Joseph County, Indiana, in 1949. The South Bend Medical Foundation played several key roles in the campaign to conquer polio. When Jonas Salk developed a promising polio vaccine, the Medical Foundation was among 217 U.S. field trial participants. After the vaccine gained federal approval, Medical Foundation officials were invited to serve on the local polio committee that coordinated immunization of all local children.
The South Bend Medical Foundation was an early supporter of the March of Dimes and its programs to educate the populace about the prevention of polio. The strong bond between the two organizations continues to this very day.