The Medical History Society of New Jersey was founded on May 7, 1980, largely through the efforts of Dr. Morris H. Saffron (1905-1993), noted medical historian and practicing dermatologist. Our goal is to promote interest, research, and writing in medical history, and we are dedicated to the discussion and enjoyment of the history of medicine and allied fields. Dinner meetings are held twice a year, in May and October, at the Nassau Club in Princeton. These semi-annual programs consist of a short business meeting followed by several talks on a variety of subjects, and then either the Saffron or Foundation Lectures.

The Saffron Lecture is given each May by the nation's most prominent medical historians. Past Saffron Lecturers include Genevieve Miller, Lloyd Stevenson, Harry Dowling, Whitfield Bell, Lester King, Gert Brieger, Ynez O'Neill, Kenneth Ludmerer, Gerald Geison, Gerald Grob, David Cowen, Michael Bliss, and Charles Rosenberg.

Every October the Foundation Lecture, a continuation of the Corporate/Society Lecture series, features scholars such as past presenters David Kohn, Donald Blaufox, Ira Rutkow, Susan Lederer, Renee Fox, Steven Peitzman, Vincent Cirillo, Alan Kraut, and Edward Morman.

Each May The David L. Cowen Award is given for outstanding achievement in the field of medical history. Past recipients are David Cowen (2001), Francis Chinard (2002), Karen Reeds (2003), Allen Weisse (2004), Vincent Cirillo (2005), and William Helfand (2006). Prof. Gerald Grob (2007). Dr. Wolfgang Jochle is the 2008 recipient..