Charles F. Frey was a Professor of Surgery at the University of Michigan, chairman of the Michigan Emergency Services Health Council, founder of the University Association for Emergency Medical Services, chairman of the American College of Surgeons' Michigan Committee on Trauma, and a member of the Washtenaw County Emergency Medical Service Health Council. Frey is known for his work in the development of emergency management systems at a state and national level, for the development of medical specializations in trauma, and for pancreatic surgery research. The collection includes correspondence, reports, records of emergency medicine organizations, and Frey's autobiographical account of his work in emergency medicine.
The Charles F. Frey papers document his work during the 1960s and 1970s in the development of emergency services, training, and policies in Michigan as well as nationwide. He participated in these efforts through organizations such as the Michigan Emergency Services Health Council (MESH), The American College of Surgeons, the University Association for Emergency Medical Services, the Michigan Advisory Council, and the Washtenaw County Emergency Medical Service Health Council. The majority of the collection is related to MESH and the University Association for Emergency Medical Services as Frey was key in the establishment and development of those organizations. The contents of the collection are paper materials and are arranged in three series: Michigan Emergency Services Health Council, Emergency and Trauma Organizations, and Biographical and Personal.