PBCMS History

The story of organized medicine in Palm Beach County begins with Dr. Richard Buckle Potter, who arrived in the Lake Worth community (now Palm Beach) in 1882. A 29-year-old physician from Cincinnati, Dr. Potter came to South Florida seeking a healthier climate for his brother and soon became the area’s first practicing doctor.

At a time when Miami was home to only 25 families, the Lake Worth settlement was growing rapidly and in desperate need of medical care. Dr. Potter eagerly accepted the call, walking miles along the beach to treat patients, delivering babies alongside local midwives, and often staying with families until recovery. Known for his compassion, he earned the trust of early settlers and even the Seminole community, who often waited outside his small office for care.

By the late 1800s, as Palm Beach County grew, more physicians followed. Dr. Henry Hood joined Dr. Potter in practice and helped organize the area’s first hospital. Population growth accelerated with the arrival of Henry Flagler’s railroad, and by 1910, physicians like Dr. Leon Ashley Peek saw the urgent need for proper medical facilities. In 1914, Dr. and Mrs. Peek led the creation of the five-bed “Emergency Hospital” on land donated by Flagler — the first organized hospital in the region.

As the population continued to expand, the Good Samaritan Hospital opened its doors in 1920 with 35 beds, providing the county’s first modern medical facility. Around this time, Dr. William Ernest Van Landingham—known for making house calls by horse, boat, or train—served as the hospital’s first superintendent and became a pioneer of organized medicine in the region.

In 1919, Dr. Van Landingham and 18 fellow physicians formally established the Palm Beach County Medical Society (PBCMS). Their meetings rotated between homes and offices, where they discussed cases, set fair fee schedules, and shared professional camaraderie. Their founding principles—service, integrity, and collaboration—remain at the heart of PBCMS today.

Through the 1920s, membership grew as physicians responded to hurricanes, epidemics, and the rapid urbanization of West Palm Beach. Doctors and their families provided vital relief during the devastating 1928 hurricane, embodying the spirit of service that continues to define the Society more than a century later.

Reflecting on 50 years of practice, Dr. Van Landingham summarized the profession’s evolution:

“Little does the doctor of today realize how fortunate he is to walk into a complete hospital with miracle drugs to aid him… Yet those of us who practiced in the early years will always treasure that age of hardship, when we shared with each family the joy of new life, the sorrow of loss, and the privilege of service.”

From those humble beginnings to today’s thriving network of physicians, PBCMS continues its legacy of uniting the medical community to advance care, uphold ethical standards, and serve the people of Palm Beach County.

A Legacy of Care: Timeline Highlights

1882 – Palm Beach County’s First Physician - Dr. Richard Buckle Potter arrives in the Lake Worth community, becoming the first doctor to serve Palm Beach County’s pioneers.

1898 – Early Medical Collaboration - Dr. Potter and Dr. Henry Hood begin organizing efforts to support the growing community’s medical needs.

1914 – First Local Hospital Opens - Dr. Leon Ashley Peek and his wife lead the creation of a five-bed “Emergency Hospital” on land donated by Henry Flagler — the region’s first organized hospital.

1919 – Palm Beach County Medical Society Founded - Dr. William Ernest Van Landingham and 18 other physicians establish the Palm Beach County Medical Society to unite the medical community, uphold ethical standards, and improve care.

1920 – Good Samaritan Hospital Established - A new 35-bed hospital opens, marking a major milestone in organized healthcare for Palm Beach County.

1928 – Service in Times of Crisis - PBCMS physicians and their families lead medical relief efforts following the devastating Lake Okeechobee hurricane.

Today – Over a Century of Impact - More than 100 years later, PBCMS continues to champion physician wellness, medical education, and community health throughout Palm Beach County.