History of Phi Delta Epsilon

In October of 1904, Aaron Brown and eight of his friends founded Phi Delta Epsilon at Cornell University Medical College. During the first decade of this century there were many doors closed to Jewish medical students and physicians, doors which would not fully open until after World War II. In 1904, it was not uncommon for American medical schools to have quotas limiting admission of Jewish students, and medical fraternities. So Aaron Brown and his friends decided they would start their own fraternal organization, guided by the precepts of philanthropy, deity, and equity.


The success of the Cornell chapter soon led to the organization of other chapters in the East and Midwest. In 1918, Phi Delta Epsilon amalgamated with Alpha Phi Sigma, a medical fraternity organized in 1908, whose ideals and principles were similar to those of PhiDE. Its chapters were in the Midwest and West, making for an ideal union.

Following the amalgamation, the United States was divided into districts and, by 1930, enough members had graduated from medical schools allowing for the formation of graduate clubs. In 1926, an Endowment Fund was started giving the Fraternity long-term stability. In the 1940s the Aaron Brown Lectureship Program was begun and has remained a vital chapter event through the years.

In the late 1960s, the Fraternity opened its membership to women and encouraged recruitment of medical students of all races, nationalities and religious beliefs. The past 25 years have seen the Fraternity's membership become wonderfully diverse, reflecting the diversity of the medical profession today. The addition of the premedical affiliation in 1994 rounded out the Fraternity's membership, which now spans an entire lifetime of medical education and practice.

PhiDE celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004 as a strong, vibrant, professionally directed organization headed for new growth and great excitement. The 21st century beckons us, and we continue operate under Aaron Brown's guiding principles of Philanthropy, Deity, and Equity.

Phi Delta Epsilon has grown from a small insular group to a diverse, all-inclusive organization. We have done this by making our motto live: Facta Non Verba, Deeds Not Words. And, indeed, we will continue to prosper, grow, and spread the warmth of our fraternalism into the future.

What We Do

The student chapter is the base of the Fraternity's structure. Membership originates there and friendships are established there. All communications flow through the chapter and the benefits of membership in PhiDE are received through active participation in chapter activities and events. We have Premedical and Medical Chapters. Through a host of planned activities during the academic year, students develop the leadership and professional skills, which complement a basic understanding of medical science. When the time comes to apply for medical school and to match for residency, active membership in PhiDE is evidence of that a student is well rounded and motivated. There are also many chapter activities to help relieve the stress of studying. Once you've graduated Medical School, you become a Graduate member and can join one of our numerous graduate chapters. Graduate members provide the mentoring and resources for our student population. Many of our Graduate members host dinners for new PhiDE physicians in the area, provide internships for students and are active in their communities through service and philanthropy.

What You Can't Learn In Books

A key focus of the chapter is the professional development of its student members. This is achieved through planned programming that reaches beyond academics to more specifically address the needs of the individual student.

Aaron Brown and William Gelfand Lectureships

What would you think about meeting former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop? What if he came to your campus because you asked him? Dr. Koop is one of many distinguished physicians who have come to PhiDE campuses to address students, faculty, and area medical professionals as part of the Aaron Brown or William Gelfand Lectureship Programs.

A Call to Service

To meet the fraternity's call to service, PhiDE student chapters mobilize members and other volunteers to help combat drug abuse, child abuse, illiteracy, homelessness, AIDS, loneliness, starvation, and disaster. Efforts in the local communities point the attention of our future physicians to the human side of suffering and pain.

The Philosophy: Work Hard and Play Hard

Intramural sports, group study sessions, banquets, ski trips and Sunday brunches with area doctors & the PhiDE social scene can't be beat. And there is something for everyone. PhiDE members have many opportunities to develop relationships on both a personal and professional level that last a lifetime.