LAMPHHS Comes to UB

by DENISE WOLFE

On June 4, 2026, UB Libraries and the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection welcomed more than 75 members of the Librarians, Archivists, and Museum Professionals in the History of the Health Sciences (LAMPHHS) to campus for the organization's 51st annual meeting. An additional 50 participants joined virtually from across North America, making this a truly hybrid event.

Held in Harriman Hall, the conference explored histories and collections that extend beyond traditional healthcare narratives, highlighting the often-overlooked roles of spiritualism, psychic healing and natural medicines in patients' lives. The program featured keynote speakers Sarah Handley-Cousins, associate professor of history at the University at Buffalo, and Elizabeth Masarik, assistant professor of history at SUNY Brockport, who discussed themes from their book Spiritualism's Place: Reformers, Seekers, and Seances in Lily Dale.

Following the day's sessions, in-person attendees enjoyed an after-hours reception in Abbott Library's Main Reading Room, which also offered the opportunity to visit the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection.

"The amazing efforts of our UB colleagues were seen and appreciated, not only by me, but also by the 125 LAMPHHS members who participated in the meeting," said Keith Mages, curator of the History of Medicine Collection.

The meeting highlighted both the strength of UB Libraries' collections and the expertise and hospitality that make events of this scale possible.