For approximately ten years (1978-1988), the Council of University Teaching Hospitals existed as an informal organization providing discussion between the University’s Health Sciences faculties and schools and the major affiliated Teaching Hospitals. However, after much consideration, it was collectively determined that for the Council to undertake specific projects in the joint interests of its constituent organizations, actions had to be taken, resulting in the formalization of the Council and the establishment of the position of Executive Director. To this end, C.O.U.T.H. formally established itself on 15 November 1988 as a society supported by a re-established organizational and sub-committee structure under a newly formed societal Constitution and set of Bylaws.
The founding members of C.O.U.T.H. include the B.C. Children’s Hospital, the Cancer Control Agency of B.C., the Salvation Army Grace Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, The University of British Columbia, University Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, and the Western Rehabilitation Society. C.O.U.T.H. comprises two primary committees that serve its mandate; these include the Council and the Operating Committee. In addition, as a cooperative society, C.O.U.T.H. serves those Teaching Hospitals having a comprehensive affiliation agreement with the University of British Columbia and the University itself.

This subseries of the Dean of Medicine series consists of minutes, reports, correspondence, studies, briefs and assessments conducted, accumulated or compiled by the Executive Director, the Council and the Operating Committee and their various sub-committees and tasks forces.