Dr. G. Kirby Collier is one of the most influential physicians in A.A.’s history. Although, primarily remembered as the person responsible for bringing Alcoholics Anonymous to Rochester (NY state), his work with alcoholics and influence within the medical community helped to establish Alcoholics Anonymous in the eyes of the medical profession.
Internationally renown for his work in epilepsy, Dr. Collier focused his efforts on the treatment of alcoholism. Hearing of the success of A.A. in 1940, he traveled to New York and attended several meetings and met with Bill W. Being convinced of the programs merits, he took Bill W.’s suggestion and held the first meeting in Rochester in his office at 311 Alexander Street with three of his alcoholic patients. After introducing his patients to the pamphlets and the book Alcoholics Anonymous provided by Bill W., Dr. Collier, believing it was best that they run their own meetings and he "threw them over-board." Meetings were held in the apartment of one of the first members on South Goodman Street for several weeks before moving to the Seneca Hotel, effectively starting the Seneca Group in April 1942
Dr. Collier influence was instrumental in Bill W.’s address before the New York State Medical Society in 1944. Along with the other prominent psychiatrists Drs. Harry M. Tiebout, Foster Kennedy, and W.W. Bauer, Dr. G. Kirby Collier’s respected voice in the discussion that promoted alcoholism as a disease helped to breakdown barriers in the medical community that believed alcoholism as a moral weakness and encourage comprehensive medical treatment for alcoholics
Dr. Collier’s stature and experience in Alcoholism treatment led to his appointment as the Honorary chairman of the local chapter of the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism which became a pivotal force in Rochester that promoted awareness of the disease of alcoholism and the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous’ program of recovery.
article du 12 décembre 1947 dans "The Picket Line Post" link
First Group formed was the Seneca Group on July 1942. They met in room 103 of the Seneca Hotel
• An answering service was established in July 1946 "Hamilton 334
• By Sept 1946 there were around 50 AA members and meetings 7 days a wee
• In 1946, groups split off from the Seneca Group to form the Cumberland, Christ Church, and Academy groups
• By 1950, Rochester had 15 registered groups in the U.S. Director
• The first Annual AA banquet, a forerunner to the convention, was held on May 5, 1943 at the Seneca Hotel.
• The Area Artists Club began in the Milner Hotel in 1950.
The 12th Step House, which later became known as the Workshop, opened in October 1954 on Water St.
• On Jan 24-25, 1948, AA held its first Regional Conference at the Powers Hotel.
