The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research was founded in 1901. Simon Flexner headed the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research. Simon Flexner appointed his brother, Abraham Flexner, to survey medical schools throughout America.

Abraham Flexner was empowered to investigate the quality of medical education in all 161 medical schools that existed in 1910. He helped destroy the credibility and funding sources for nearly all schools using non-drug based medicine. 161 medical schools dwindled down to 81 by 1919 and medical graduates declined from 5,747 to 2,658. “Overcrowding” of the profession became the public AMA theme for the “opportunities of those already in the profession to acquire a livelihood.” said one AMA President at the time.