Mitchell Bush Papers 1846, 1912-2017 (bulk 1950-2012)

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Creator
Bush, Mitchell
Size
64.45 linear feet (93 boxes, 10 flat boxes, 10 flat folders, 9 reel boxes, 4 half boxes, 4 card boxes, 3 cartons 1 legal box); 86 gigabytes; 60105 files
Call number
MC 00467

The Mitchell Bush Papers contain research and teaching notes, presentations and materials, journals and publications, correspondence, field studies, field notes, research projects, training materials, anesthesia records, digital media such as floppy disks, CD-ROMS, zip disks, film strips, videotapes and 35mm slides documenting medical studies, surgeries and wildlife in national and international settings. Many of the files relate to Mitchell Bush's work with the National Zoological Park through the Smithsonian Institution. There are also separate series about his work with giraffes and his work with pandas. Almost the entire collection is related to Bush's work as a zoo veterinarian. Although the collection has been divided into series to assist with the research process, some topics may be covered across multiple series. For example, there is a series about the work that Bush did with pandas, but pandas may also appear in other series such as in the Subject Files or the Professional Organizations series. The majority of the materials in the collections date from 1950 to 2012. A few earlier items or reprints of earlier items are also included.

Mitchell (Mitch) Bush is a leader in the field of modern zoological medicine. He graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, in 1965, and his career has been focused on pioneering studies and clinical practice in zoological and comparative medicine. He has worked for the National Zoological Park at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., since 1972, and beginning in 1994 he has served as the Chief of Veterinary Services at the Smithsonian Conservation & Research Center. He holds a position as an assistant professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical School and is a visiting scientist at Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Biographical/historical note

Mitchell (Mitch) Bush is a leader in the field of modern zoological medicine. He graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, in 1965, and his career has been focused on pioneering studies and clinical practice in zoological and comparative medicine. He has worked for the National Zoological Park at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., since 1972, and beginning in 1994 he has served as the Chief of Veterinary Services at the Smithsonian Conservation & Research Center. He holds a position as an assistant professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical School and is a visiting scientist at Kruger National Park in South Africa.

He has published more than 300 scientific publications highlighting his clinical and research interests in radiology, anesthesia, reproduction of endangered species and other medical issues of zoo animals and free-ranging wildlife. He has also developed training programs for zoo veterinarians at the National Zoo and internationally. He is a charter diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and a former president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

Scope/content

The Mitchell Bush Papers contain research and teaching notes, presentations and materials, journals and publications, correspondence, field studies, field notes, research projects, training materials, anesthesia records, digital media such as floppy disks, CD-ROMS, zip disks, film strips, videotapes and 35mm slides documenting medical studies, surgeries and wildlife in national and international settings. Many of the files relate to Mitchell Bush's work with the National Zoological Park through the Smithsonian Institution. There are also separate series about his work with giraffes and his work with pandas. Almost the entire collection is related to Bush's work as a zoo veterinarian. Although the collection has been divided into series to assist with the research process, some topics may be covered across multiple series. For example, there is a series about the work that Bush did with pandas, but pandas may also appear in other series such as in the Subject Files or the Professional Organizations series. The majority of the materials in the collections date from 1950 to 2012. A few earlier items or reprints of earlier items are also included.

Arrangement

The papers of Mitchell Bush are arranged into 12 series based on major themes found throughout the collection. Within each series, original order was maintained when possible. When not possible, an alphabetical or chronological order, depending on the appropriateness, was created. The 12 series are:

  • 1. Slides and Lecture Notes
  • 2. American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and Other Professional Organizations
  • 3. Anesthesia Records
  • 4. Card Indexes
  • 5. Correspondence and Administrative Files
  • 6. Giraffe Files
  • 7. Mitchell Bush's Articles and Reprints
  • 8. Panda Files
  • 9. Subject Files
  • 10. Publications
  • 11. Digital Media
  • 12. Audiovisual Materials

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Mitchell Bush Papers, MC 00467, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Source of acquisition

Gift of Dr. Mitchell Bush, 2012 November (Accession no. 2012.0320), 2013 April (Accession no. 2013.0101), 2018 May (Accession no.2018.0170), 2021 August (Accession no.2021.0088)

Processing information

Processing completed by and machine-readable finding aid created by Meaghan Lanier and Sarah Breen, 2013 November; finding aid updated to include born digital material by Taylor de Klerk, 2018 May; finding aid updated because of addition 2021 January; addition processed and finding aid updated by Shima Hosseininasab, 2021 August and September.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Mitchell Bush Papers, MC 00467, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.