Merck Grant to Support Smithsonian Future Exhibition on History of American Medicine

Merck recently awarded a $500,000 grant to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to use for developing an exhibition and programming on the history of American medicine in recognition of the work of Dr. Maurice Hilleman and to mark the 2019 centennial of his birth Aug. 30. Dr. Hilleman was responsible for the development of more than half of the childhood vaccines routinely recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He developed many of these vaccines while employed as a scientist at Merck where he served as head of the Department of Virus and Cell Biology from 1956 to 1984.

The museum is working on a major 3,500 sq. ft. exhibition, "In Sickness and in Health," that will draw on the museum’s vast medicine and science collections to explore the history of prevention, diagnosis and treatment over the last 200 years. Exhibition artifacts will include surgical instruments, acupuncture needles, pharmaceuticals and prostheses as well as objects from new and expanding fields such as biotechnology.

"Being sick is a universal experience. And the struggle to prevent, control, treat and eradicate illnesses has been central to U.S. history," said Anthea M. Hartig, the museum’s Elizabeth MacMillan Director. "We are grateful to Merck for assisting us in sharing this important, yet often unknown medical history with our visitors in the museum and online."

"Curiosity and a deeper understanding of the past inspires future scientific and medical breakthroughs," said Julie L. Gerberding, chief patient officer at Merck. "In honor of the great scientist and vaccine inventor, Dr. Maurice Hilleman, we are so proud to support the Smithsonian’s efforts to bring this fascinating chapter of history to light."

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