This collection contains video footage documenting the history of Duke University Medical Center. The EMS Film Reels series contain films that came from the office of Educational Media Services. Coverage includes operations, procedures, instructional aids, conference presentations, and documentaries. People featured in the collection include David C. Sabiston, Leonard Goldner, Wilburt C. Davison, Jospeh E. Markee, Onye Akwari, James F. Glenn, and Allen Roses. Items of note include Wilburt C. Davison's "Dave at Roaring Gap" film clips, and IBM Conference film. Materials range in date from 1946 to 1991 with the bulk being undated.
Materials were created by staff and artists of Medical Art, later Medical Illustration, a section of Educational Media Services, a division of the Duke University School of Medicine. Artists include Elon H. Clark, Robert L. Blake, Robert G. Gordon and Stanley M. Coffman. Types of materials include photographs, negatives, slides, sketches, and drawings. The collection also contains prints, negatives, and sketches of items created by Gordon and Coffman for David C. Sabiston's "Atlas of Cardiothoracic Surgery." Major subjects include Duke University School of Medicine and medical illustration. Materials range in date from 1950 to 2003.