From 1837 to 1854, the medical needs of the students were taken care of by local doctors. In 1854, Dr. Sophronia Fletcher was appointed as the school's first resident physician as a result of the recommendation of the Sanitary Committee to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Joseph Kitteredge served from 1856-60. The trustees then recommended that a "thoroughly educated and acceptable Female physician" be appointed. Since then, all the resident physicians have been women.