Omer E. Boivin papers

Collection

Identifier: MC-010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The majority of the collection consists of French-language newspapers and clippings pertaining to prominent members of the Fall River community, Franco-American organizations, and medical associations. The collection also contains notes, correspondence, and speeches from the various organizations of which Dr. Boivin was a member; programs for conferences and celebrations from The French Cultural Association and The St. Anne School; and a black and white photograph of the Lafayette Monument on Eastern Avenue in Fall River. The most notable item in the collection is a large 18x13x4 indexed scrapbook which contains newspaper clippings on local doctors, lawyers, church and school leaders of French Canadian descent, as well as events, organizations, and associations within the French Canadian community of Fall River. The bulk of these clippings date from 1935-1977. The scrapbook also contains thank you notes, cards, and photographs which are attached to the inside covers.

Dates

1935-1977

Language of Materials

Materials in English and French

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Biographical / Historical

Born in 1890, Dr. Omer E. Boivin was a noted physician and philanthropist of the Fall River community. Being a specialist in both urology and surgery, he served as a staff member in every hospital of the city over a span of sixtythree years. He also generously donated thousands of dollars to support continuing education, French language and culture, and local French-Catholic parishes. After receiving an elementary education at the Notre Dame College of Fall River, Boivin was schooled at the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Canada for classical studies. He then graduated from Milton University in Baltimore with a Bachelor of Arts. Boivin completed his medical studies and earned certification at the University of Maryland Medical College. He later interned at New York's Lying-in Hospital and Boston City Hospital. Dr. Boivin began practicing medicine in 1913; however, he did not begin full time medical practice until 1921 when he returned to Fall River. He did most of his work as a surgeon and urologist at St. Anne's Hospital of Fall River. Boivin was also chief of the urological staff at the same hospital for over forty years. He later helped in the founding of St. Anne's School of Nursing. Dr. Boivin earned medical licenses in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Florida, and Georgia and became a member of their respective medical associations. Dr. Boivin was also a member of the Fall River Medical Society, the American Urological Association, the International Academy of Medicine, the American Medical Association, the Richelieu Club, and the American and Massachusetts Historical Societies. Additionally, he was a member, vice-president, and medical director of l'Union St. Jean Baptiste; director and president of the Liberty Loan Company; and director of the former Fall River Trust Company. After retirement in 1975, Dr. Boivin made endowments totaling over $350,000 to medical, educational, and religious institutions. In April of 1985, he donated $100,000 to Southeastern Massachusetts University (now University of Massachusetts Dartmouth) to establish a French cultural and language center--the Boivin Center. In October of 1985, he made an endowment to promote continuing education for health care specialists. In memory of his parents Stanislaus and Adeline, Dr. Boivin donated an electric carillon to the Notre Dame Parish in August of the following year. In 1987, he gave $50,000 to Charlton Memorial Hospital where he had served for a number of years. Later in that year, "The Dr. Omer and Laurette Boivin Scholarship Fund" was established when Dr. Boivin made an endowment of $100,000 to the Bishop Connolly High School. Dr. Omer E. Boivin died in September of 1989 at the age of ninety-nine. Source: The Fall River Herald News, September 25, 1989

Extent

1.6 Linear Feet (2 manuscript boxes and one large scrapbook)

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the SMU Archives and Special Collections by Dr. Omer E. Boivin in July of 1986

Processing Information

Finding aid and processing by Julie Fernandes ’99, June 1998. Several issues of French newspapers (L’Impartial, Le Drapeau National, and Le Travailleur) were removed from this collection and placed in MC 11.