CMA Celebrates 150th Anniversary
[Posted 03/16/06]

More photos can be found in the special anniversary section of CMA's website.

Old Pioneer Hall on J Street in Old Town Sacramento was the site of CMA's first meeting in 1856. Photo courtesy of the City of Sacramento, Convention, Culture, and Leisure Department.

CMA kicked off its anniversary celebration in front of Pioneer Hall, the site of the association's first meeting.

CMA current president Michael Sexton, M.D., greets CMA's first president, Benjamin Franklin Keene, played by Sacramento medical historian Robert LaPerriere, M.D.

Assemblyman Keith Richman, M.D., presents CMA with an official state resolution honoring the association on its 150th anniversary.

CMA media relations director Karen Nikos, who spearheaded this wonderful event, dressed in period costume poses with Dr. LaPerriere, who played CMA's first president, Benjamin Franklin Keene.

CMA last week kicked off its 150th anniversary celebration with a press conference and historical presentation at the site of the association’s first meeting in what is now Old Town Sacramento. One of the event’s highlights was a reenactment of the speech given at that first meeting in 1856 by Benjamin Franklin Keene, M.D., the association’s first president. Dr. Keene was played by Sacramento medical historian Robert LaPerriere, M.D, who arrived by horse-drawn carriage in period costume.

CMA was presented with official state resolutions honoring CMA on its 150th anniversary, authored by Assemblyman Bill Maze (R-Visalia) and Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento). The Assembly resolution was coauthored by Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) and Keith Richman, M.D. (R-Northridge). The Senate resolution was coauthored by David Cox (R-Fair Oaks).

Also in attendance were CMA officers, trustees, and staff.

CMA has launched a special anniversary section of its website. There you will find photos from the kickoff event, a brief history of CMA (including historical photos), and a copy of Dr. Keene’s remarks. The anniversary pages will be regularly updated throughout the year.

Contact: CMA Communication Center, 916/551-2072 or mgrant@cmanet.org.