SIERRA SACRAMENTO VALLEY |
PIONEER PHYSICIANS
Frederick Winslow Hatch , MD (1821-1888)
Additional Information
Dr. Hatch's home was in Charlottesville, Virginia, just two miles down the road from Thomas Jefferson's farm. Dr. Hatch's father was an Episcopal clergyman who served as chaplain to the U.S. senate for twelve years. When Dr. Hatch was a toddler, his father held him on his shoulder so he could see Thomas Jefferson, General lafayette and other famous Revolutionary figures as they passed by the house.
Dr. hatch served as the first president of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement and was re-elected five times. Physicians had established medical organizations in Sacramento three times since 1850, but they all fell by the wayside. In 1868, with Dr. Hatch at the helm, the group survived.
Dr. Hatch was the first president of the City Board of Health and served on the Board for 22 years. He was elected secretary of the State Board of Health in 1876 and served until his death. These positions involved no pay but required much time and work. An accomplished writer and speaker, his words survive in the State Health and Safety Code, for he had a big hand in writing early legislation. He was also a professor in the Medical Department at UCSF.
Education was one of his primary interests. He was Commissioner of Schools, City and County Superintendent of Schools, and a member of the Board of Education.
Dr. Hatch maintained an active practice until his death from complications of tuberculosis on October 6, 1888, leaving his wife and five children.