Michael Davis (4) (1879–1971)

[excerpt from University of Chicago biography]
Michael Marks Davis was born on August 19, 1879 in New York, New York. During his life span, Dr. Davis became a pioneer investigator in medical care in the United States. He studied Sociology and Economics at Columbia University and received his PhD in 1906. He was largely involved with various efforts aiming to aid social problems and their impact on the health of immigrants and people living in poverty.

Dr. Davis was an active member of a number of unions and organizations such as The People's Institute (1905-1910) and the Boston Dispensary (1910-1920). His work at the Boston Dispensary influenced the idea of a pay clinic, which allowed low-income patients to pay a small fee for medical services. During his time at the Dispensary he began investigating the structural function of health services and the most efficient way to manage a team of physicians, nurses, administrators and social workers. His advocacy for new methods of delivering medical care made him a pioneer in hospital administration.