The Bird Society was created in 1986 in honor of Dr. Robert Montgomery Bird, to continue his legacy and to promote the best within all of us. Strategic in the founding of the OU Health Sciences Center Library, Dr. Bird is a continual reminder of the hard work involved in forging lasting development.

Created to continue his work, the Bird Society works with alumni and those desiring to contribute to the Robert M. Bird Library. Meetings are held every year to discuss issues important to medical science and our society. - Bird Society Membership

History

Physician, scholar, scientist and teacher, Dr. Robert Montgomery Bird served the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in various capacities during a twenty-four year period. When Dr. Stewart G. Wolf came to the University of Oklahoma in 1952 as head of the Department of Medicine, his first recruit was Robert Bird. A decade later, Bird was a professor and vice chairman of the department.

He was named acting head in 1963, and from 1965-70, he served as chief of the hematology section and the medical school's associate dean for planning and development. In the latter capacity, he was responsible for developing many grant proposals for physical facilities at the Health Sciences Center, including the Library Building.

Bird was awarded the Regents Award for Superior Teaching in 1969 and continued to teach after he was appointed Dean of the College of Medicine in 1970. In December 1974, Bird accepted a position as director of the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, a division of the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Bird died from a heart attack December 30, 1976.

Become a Member

Those wishing to formally honor the memory of this remarkable teacher who touched the lives of so many during his years in Oklahoma may join the Robert M. Bird Society by pledging $1,000 a year for three years, or by making a contribution to the Robert M. Bird Library.

For more information contact John Hillis from the University Development Office at (405) 271-2851

Or contact Library Administration at (405) 271-2285 option 5.