Phi Rho Sigma
Phi Rho Sigma (ΦΡΣ) is an independent, co-educational medical fraternity founded on October 31, 1890, by medical students at Northwestern University’s Chicago Medical College. Its first president, Milbank Johnson, designed the original badge. The fraternity soon grew to Beta chapter at the University of Illinois (1894) and Gamma chapter at the University of Chicago (1895). In 1899, a grand chapter was formed to oversee affairs, with biennial conventions starting that year.
The fraternity began publishing in 1900 with The Phi Rho Sigma Journal; the Iota chapter also produced its own magazine, The Iota. A Chicago Alumni chapter was formed in 1901, and in 1908 the chapters were organized into districts. Phi Rho Sigma absorbed Alpha Omega Delta in 1911 (Buffalo), and in 1929 merged with Chi Zeta Chi. By 1936, it had 27 active collegiate chapters, 18 alumni chapters, and about 19,050 members.
In 1960, national gold medals were established. In 1973, the fraternity changed its name to Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society and began admitting women.
Colors are scarlet and old gold. The badge evolved to a gold monogram of ΦΡΣ with pearls. Today, Phi Rho Sigma operates as the Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society, with 10 active chapters and 47 chartered chapters. Its headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana, and its publication is The Journal of Phi Rho Sigma. Website: phirhosigma.org/index.html
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:15 (CET).