Hugh Huger Toland (January 24, 1806 – December 23, 1880) was an American physician and surgeon who founded Toland Medical College in San Francisco, California. His institution later became the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine.
Early life and education
- Born in Baltimore, Maryland, to a family of Scottish descent.
- Trained in medicine under apprenticeship and formal study, receiving his medical license in Maryland before relocating to the West Coast.
Career
- Arrived in San Francisco in the early 1850s, where he established a successful surgical practice.
- In 1864, Toland founded the Toland Medical College, the first independent medical school on the Pacific Coast.
- The college emphasized a rigorous curriculum combining didactic instruction with clinical experience, a progressive approach for the period.
Integration with the University of California
- In 1873, the college entered into an affiliation with the University of California, becoming the Medical Department of the University of California.
- This affiliation laid the groundwork for what would evolve into the modern UCSF School of Medicine.
Legacy
- Toland is recognized for his role in advancing medical education in California and for contributing to the establishment of a leading research and teaching hospital.
- The Toland building on the UCSF campus, originally housing the medical school’s facilities, bears his name.
Personal life
- Married Mary Frances Hermann; the couple had several children.
- Toland was active in civic affairs in San Francisco, participating in medical societies and public health initiatives.
Death
- Died on December 23, 1880, in San Francisco at the age of 74. His contributions to medical education persisted through the continued growth of UCSF.
