Jean J. Rossi papers, 1961-1998

(bulk 1980-1990)

John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	Jean J. Rossi papers
Date range:	1961-1998, (bulk 1980-1990)
Creator:	Rossi, Jean J.
Extent:	1.0 linear foot
Abstract:	The collection consists largely of Rossi's articles on the subject of alcoholism and its treatment. There are also articles on these topics by other psychologists, conference handouts and notes as well as information on Willmar State Hospital.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library , Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms.2008.026

Scope & content

The Jean J. Rossi papers are a small but important collection focused on the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism. The collection consists mostly of Dr. Rossi's writings in both published and unpublished form. Some conference materials, all of which are alcohol related, are included, along with a number of items on Willmar Hospital, where Dr. Rossi practiced. The reference files contain several articles by other authors on the topic of alcoholism, a history of alcohol treatment in the Lutheran General Hospital and a tape transcription from Hazelden, an important alcohol and addiction treatment center in Minnesota. The papers also include two periodical issues that deal with alcoholism, treatment, and treatment facilities.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Rossi, Jean J.

Subject Organizations

• Hazelden Foundation (Minn.)
• Willmar Regional Treatment Center (Minn.)

Subject Topics

• Alcoholism--Treatment--Illinois--History
• Alcoholism--Treatment--Minnesota--History
• Psychologists - Illinois
• Psychologists--Minnesota

Occupations

• Clinical psychologists
• Psychologists

Document Types

• Brochures
• Periodicals
• Proceedings
• writings

Subject Topics

• Health and Medicine

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following series:

• Series 1. Writings
• Series 2. Conference material
• Series 3. Periodicals
• Series 4. Willmar
• Series 5. Reference files

Biographical note

Beginning in the mid-20th century, Dr. Jean J. Rossi, Ph.D., worked with Dr. Nelson J. Bradley, M.D., and Dr. Daniel J. Anderson, Ph.D., at the Willmar Hospital in Minnesota to develop a modern medical treatment for alcoholism. When Dr. Bradley joined the Willmar Hospital staff, the hospital was the state facility used to dry out "inebriates". Once these patients had sobered up, they were sent back into the community with no further care. The percentage of recidivism alarmed Dr. Bradley. Influenced by the A.A. 12 step program, Dr. Bradley gathered around him a staff capable of treating the entire person mentally, physically and spiritually. This new program used medical treatment, lectures, films, group therapy, one-on-one counseling, group discussions, A.A. meetings and recreation in the attack on alcoholism which they had come to see as the primary illness, not merely the symptom of another disorder. Dr. Rossi, a clinical psychologist from New Jersey, answered a Willmar job posting and joined the staff for the psychiatric treatment of patients but soon became primarily involved in the treatment of alcoholics.

In the late 1950's and early 1960's these three innovators moved to other treatment centers. Dr. Anderson went to Hazelden. Dr. Bradley and Dr. Rossi went to the Parkside Treatment Center in Chicago, a part of the Lutheran General Hospital complex. Dr. Rossi was the program director for Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Rehabilitation. Both Dr. Rossi and Dr. Bradley took the ideas generated at Willmar and developed "The Lutheran General" or the "Parkside" model, which placed more emphasis on the medical aspects of alcoholism and chemical dependency than the Minnesota Model which Anderson developed at Hazelden. Rossi eventually retired to private practice.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Jean J. Rossi papers, Ms. 2008.026, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library , Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	This collection was donated to Brown University by Dr. Jean J. Rossi in January 2005.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Lindsay Woodel.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-04-18

Additional Information

Related material:	RESOURCES AT BROWN:The Chester H. Kirk Collection on Alcoholism and Alcoholics AnonymousRobert Holbrook Smith ("Dr. Bob") collectionNational Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (U.S.)Kurtz Collection audio cassettes and related papersDaniel J. Anderson papers
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Jean J. Rossi papers

Inventory

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