History
Dr. Max Thorek founded the International College of Surgeons (ICS) in 1935, with the goals of promoting the exchange of surgical knowledge and fostering understanding and good will worldwide. He had an equally noble goal in establishing the International Museum of Surgical Science--to enrich people's lives. The Museum opened to the public on September 9, 1954. Two of the first exhibits to be installed were the Hall of Immortals, containing twelve large stone statues of great figures in medicine and science, and a Hall of Murals, which contains a series of large paintings depicting the development of surgical science through the ages.
Specialties
The International Museum of Surgical Science, a division of the International College of Surgeons (ICS), maintains over 10,000 square feet of public galleries committed to the history of surgery, and an exquisite permanent collection of art and artifacts from the history of Medicine. The Museum supports its Mission through medically thematized exhibitions and programs, in addition to a strong contemporary arts advocacy program.