09/18/2026
We’re excited to share an upcoming symposium from the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison featuring several speakers with connections to the German Society of Pennsylvania.
The hybrid symposium, "German Influences on Wellness, Health, and Pharmaceuticals in America," will take place October 29–30, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin, and will also be LIVESTREAMED. The program explores the long history of German influences on American medicine, wellness, pharmaceuticals, naturopathy, exercise, midwifery, and medical treatment.
We are especially proud that Rae Blanchard, a member of the library team at The German Society of Pennsylvania and Project Archivist at the Drexel University College of Medicine Legacy Center, will be among the featured speakers. Rae will present “Constantine Hering, MD: German Immigrants and the Impact of Homeopathic Medicine in the United States” on Thursday, October 29.
GSP members may also recognize two other presenters:
Patrick Donmoyer, Director of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University, will open the symposium with a presentation on Pennsylvania Dutch ritual healing traditions. Patrick will also be joining us at the German Society for two programs this winter.
Annette Hofmann, Professor of Sports Studies at Ludwigsburg University of Education in Germany, will speak on Kneippism, hydrotherapy, naturopathy, and physical activity. Annette visited the German Society this past April to speak about the history of the Turners.
The symposium is free and open to the public. Those joining virtually should register in advance to receive the livestream link.
We hope many of our members will take advantage of this fascinating program and we are delighted to see Rae and several friends of the Society represented among the speakers!
