We are working with this historical organisation to make
fundamental changes. This will hopefully ensure it is sustainable and thriving in the future.
Dr James Burgess has been co-opted onto the committee of the Institute.

The Birmingham Medical Institute(BMI) was founded in 1875 by surgeon, Mr Sampson
Gamgee. Gamgee invented a surgical dressing called Gamgee tissue. This was a major
step forward in the prevention of surgical wound infection. The BMI has been housed in
many different location and was the first medical library in the West Midlands. The Institute
was the region’s major centre for postgraduate medical education and meetings covering
the spectrum of medical specialisms. Previous presidents of the BMI include many
eminent physicians including Mr Sampson Gamgee, Mr Lawson Tait, Dr Robert Saundby,
Professor Sir Gilbert Barling Bt CB CBE, Professor Sir Thomas Chavasse, Dr Henry
Featherstone OBE TD and Professor Peter Gilroy Bevan CBE.