Reminiscence
PACIFIC DERMATOLOGIC ASSOCIATION ERVIN EPSTEIN, M.D. From the Department of Dermatoiogy, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
Prior to the middle 194O's, the major dermatologic associations of the Western United States were the San Francisco and the Eos Angeles Dermatological Societies. These 2 groups traversed their separate paths until the middle 193O's, when a joint annual clinical meeting was established, being held alternately in these 2 California cities. For some time, there had Ijcon a feeling that a more formal organization would be desirable. During World War II, these combined meetings wete abandoned because of travel restrictions. In October 1947, this conclave was re-established and met in San Diego. At this meeting, a formal proposal was made dictating that a permanent organization be formed. Hiram Newton, who was presiding officer, appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Samuel Ayres, Jr., to formulate tentative plans for such an association. Formal Organization An organizational meeting was held in San Francisco in February 1949. The committee announced its recommendations and the Pacific Dermatologic Association was established and a constitution adopted. All members of the founding societies, in addition to those belonging to the Pacific Northwest Dermatological Society, the San Diego DerAddress for reprints: Ervin Epstein, M.D., 44729tb St., Oakland, CA 94609.
456
matological Society, the Pacific Southwest Dermatological Society and the Rocky Mountain Dermatological Society, were invited to become charter members. Approximately 85 dermatologists accepted this invitation and formed the nucleus of the present gigantic organization. Ayres and his fellow committee members were the original officers (Ayres as president, Herman Allington secretary and Walter Nickel assistant secretarytreasurer). In addition, Eeon Ray was elected vice-president and Donald Cleveland, Nelson Paul Anderson and Frederick G. Novy, Jr. were made members of the executive council. The first meeting was held at the Hotel del Coronado near San Diego and since then the organization has returned to this site every 10th year. A dermatology society is basically a matter of people and places. The officers of the society and meeting sites are presented in tabular form in Table 1. This society includes nine honorary members, senior members who have been honored by their colleagues by election to this category. These are Samuel Ayres, Jr., Norman Epstein, Fletcher Hall, Max Krause, William Morginson, Frederick G. Novy, Jr., Maxmillian Obermayer, Frances Torrey and Louis Winer. Our guest speakers are a Who's Who of dermatology. Many foreign dignitaries have been among them: Gustave AsboeHansen, Charles Calnan, Jean Civatte, Rudy Cormane, Stephania Jablonska, Francisco Kerdel-Vegas, Felix Sagher, Hans Selye, Ian Sneddon, Danilo Stevanivoc, Edward Wilson-Jones.
PDA
No. 6 Table 1.
•
Epstein
457
Past Presidents and Meeting Sites of Ihe Pacific Dermatologic
1949
Samuel Ayres, Jr., M.D.
Goronado, California
1950
Harry Templeton, M.D.
Oakland, California
Association
1951
loseph Shaw, M.D.
Tasadena, Galifornia
1952
Nelson Paul Anderson, M.D.
San Francisco, Galifornia
1953
Norman N. Epstein, M.D.
Seattle, Washington
1954
Stephen Parker, M.D.
Golorado Springs, Golorado
1955
M. E. Obermayer, M.D.
Mexico Gity
1956
Frederick G. Novy, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1957
Ben A. Newman, M. D.
Pi'oenix, Arizona
1958
Ervin Epstein, M.D.
Goronado, Galifornia
1959
A. Fletcber Hall, M.D.
Garmel, Galifornia
1960
Louis H. Winer, M.D.
Victoria, British Columbia
1961
Herman V. Allington, M.D.
Salt Lake Gity, Utah
1962
Walter R. Nickel, M.D.
San Francisco, Galifornia
1963
Edward J. Ringrose, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1964
William J. Morginson, M.D.
Scotlsdale, Arizona
1965
Recs B. Rees, M.D.
Portland, Oregon
1966
Gordon MacDonald, M.D.
Palm Springs, Galifornia
1967
Robert A. Pommerening, M.D.
San Francisco, California
1968
Harry L. Arnold, Jr., M.D.
Goronado, Galifornia
1969
Mortimer S. Falk, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1970
Lawrence M. Nelson, M.D.
Golorado Springs, Golorado
1971
Manuel E. Allende, M.D.
Guadalajara, Mexico
1972
Jobn M. Sbaw, M.D.
Palm Springs, Galifornia Vancouver, British Golumbia
1973
J. Walter Wilson, M.D.
1974
William Stewart, M.D.
Las Vegas, Nevada
1975
Robert J. McNamara, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1976
Walter Herold
Scottsdalo, Arizona
Meeting Agenda The sessions consist of a business meeting, a series of papers (often with subject symposia), a clinical histopathologic presentation and at times a clinical meeting. This last feature has decreased in popularity and usage, while the clinical-histopathologic session has proven to be one of the more popular features. Initiated by Louis Winer and Walter Nickel, this session is presented by a guest dermatopathologist who discusses each case; the discussion is followed by questions and discussion from the audi-
Table 2.
Past Secretaries
1949
Herman V. Allington, M.D.
1950
Walter R. Nickel, M.D.
1951-53
Ervin Epstein, M.D.
1954-56
Ben A. Newman, M.D.
1957-59
Louis H. Winer, M..D.
1960-62
Edward J. Ringrose, M.D.
1963-65
Gordon MacDonald, M.D.
1966-68
Mortimer S. Falk, M.D.
1969-71
John M. Sbaw, M.D.
1972-74
Robert J. McNamara, M.D.
1975
Jack E. McGleary, M.D.
458
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
ence. It has become the protoype of the similar presentations given at the meetings of the American Academy of Deimatology. It is said to be the first 2-screen meeting of this type. The Pacific Dermatologic Association has been grateful to its guests. In addition to such tangible rewards as expense money and honoraria, the Society has furnished a large interested audience, elected the dermatologic speakers to Honorary Corresponding Membership and furnished them with a plaque commemorating their appearance before this group. Except for the presiding officer who gives a Presidential Address, comparatively few members have been speakers at these meetings. Distance has been no barrier to oblaining distinguished speakers for our group. In addition to election to officerships or appointment to committees, those active in the affairs and growth of this organization are recognized also. A Certificate of Achievement (a very handsome plaque) is awarded for long and outstanding service to the Association. Commercial exhibitors are welcomed; they have been important in the growth and success of the organization. When the daily meetings are over, social events come to the fore, including cocktail parties, dinners, the president's banquet, trips and social features characteristic of the location of the meeting. Other Society Activities The Pacific Dermatologic Association enters into certain other activities, including an Essay Contest. Young dermatologists are encouraged to subtTiit research studies for a prize of $500 plus the opportunity of presenting their findings before the membership at the annual meeting, all expenses paid, including those of the essayist's spouse. The en-
July-August 1976
Vol. 15
tiies are judged by a blue ribbon committee consisting of Honorary Corresponding members (former guest speakers). The Society is active also in publications. A multipaged program is distributed before each meeting acquainting the membership with the scientific, social and competitive features available at the coming meeting. After the conclusion of the conclave, a larger Transactions is published and mailed to the members. This includes summaries written by authors of the presentations plus the results of the competitions and a summary of the social events. Every 2 years, a Directory is compiled and distributed to the tTiembers. This features individual photographs and a great deal of pertinent information about each member. This publication includes a roster by stales and cities, in addition to the pictures and biographies arranged alphabetically. The officers change according to definite regulations. The president and vice-president serve for one year. The Secretary-Treasurer is elected for 3 years. /\s a rule, he ascends to the presidency at the conclusion of his term, but this is not invariable. The historian is elected for 5 years and is the only officer who can be re-elected. Members of the committees are appointed for periods dictated by the number in the group. Most committees consist of 3 members. The appointees on such a committee serve 3 years with the senior member assuming the chairmanship and then dropping out as a new junior member is elected. Mrs. Florence Beardsley, the Executive Secretary, is the only paid employee of the organization. The success of the format is attested to by the growth of the Society from 85 to nearly 1000 members! Need more be said?
PACIFIC DERMATOLOGIC ASSOCIATION ERVIN EPSTEIN, M.D. From the Department of Dermatoiogy, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
Prior to the middle 194O's, the major dermatologic associations of the Western United States were the San Francisco and the Eos Angeles Dermatological Societies. These 2 groups traversed their separate paths until the middle 193O's, when a joint annual clinical meeting was established, being held alternately in these 2 California cities. For some time, there had Ijcon a feeling that a more formal organization would be desirable. During World War II, these combined meetings wete abandoned because of travel restrictions. In October 1947, this conclave was re-established and met in San Diego. At this meeting, a formal proposal was made dictating that a permanent organization be formed. Hiram Newton, who was presiding officer, appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Samuel Ayres, Jr., to formulate tentative plans for such an association. Formal Organization An organizational meeting was held in San Francisco in February 1949. The committee announced its recommendations and the Pacific Dermatologic Association was established and a constitution adopted. All members of the founding societies, in addition to those belonging to the Pacific Northwest Dermatological Society, the San Diego DerAddress for reprints: Ervin Epstein, M.D., 44729tb St., Oakland, CA 94609.
456
matological Society, the Pacific Southwest Dermatological Society and the Rocky Mountain Dermatological Society, were invited to become charter members. Approximately 85 dermatologists accepted this invitation and formed the nucleus of the present gigantic organization. Ayres and his fellow committee members were the original officers (Ayres as president, Herman Allington secretary and Walter Nickel assistant secretarytreasurer). In addition, Eeon Ray was elected vice-president and Donald Cleveland, Nelson Paul Anderson and Frederick G. Novy, Jr. were made members of the executive council. The first meeting was held at the Hotel del Coronado near San Diego and since then the organization has returned to this site every 10th year. A dermatology society is basically a matter of people and places. The officers of the society and meeting sites are presented in tabular form in Table 1. This society includes nine honorary members, senior members who have been honored by their colleagues by election to this category. These are Samuel Ayres, Jr., Norman Epstein, Fletcher Hall, Max Krause, William Morginson, Frederick G. Novy, Jr., Maxmillian Obermayer, Frances Torrey and Louis Winer. Our guest speakers are a Who's Who of dermatology. Many foreign dignitaries have been among them: Gustave AsboeHansen, Charles Calnan, Jean Civatte, Rudy Cormane, Stephania Jablonska, Francisco Kerdel-Vegas, Felix Sagher, Hans Selye, Ian Sneddon, Danilo Stevanivoc, Edward Wilson-Jones.
PDA
No. 6 Table 1.
•
Epstein
457
Past Presidents and Meeting Sites of Ihe Pacific Dermatologic
1949
Samuel Ayres, Jr., M.D.
Goronado, California
1950
Harry Templeton, M.D.
Oakland, California
Association
1951
loseph Shaw, M.D.
Tasadena, Galifornia
1952
Nelson Paul Anderson, M.D.
San Francisco, Galifornia
1953
Norman N. Epstein, M.D.
Seattle, Washington
1954
Stephen Parker, M.D.
Golorado Springs, Golorado
1955
M. E. Obermayer, M.D.
Mexico Gity
1956
Frederick G. Novy, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1957
Ben A. Newman, M. D.
Pi'oenix, Arizona
1958
Ervin Epstein, M.D.
Goronado, Galifornia
1959
A. Fletcber Hall, M.D.
Garmel, Galifornia
1960
Louis H. Winer, M.D.
Victoria, British Columbia
1961
Herman V. Allington, M.D.
Salt Lake Gity, Utah
1962
Walter R. Nickel, M.D.
San Francisco, Galifornia
1963
Edward J. Ringrose, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1964
William J. Morginson, M.D.
Scotlsdale, Arizona
1965
Recs B. Rees, M.D.
Portland, Oregon
1966
Gordon MacDonald, M.D.
Palm Springs, Galifornia
1967
Robert A. Pommerening, M.D.
San Francisco, California
1968
Harry L. Arnold, Jr., M.D.
Goronado, Galifornia
1969
Mortimer S. Falk, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1970
Lawrence M. Nelson, M.D.
Golorado Springs, Golorado
1971
Manuel E. Allende, M.D.
Guadalajara, Mexico
1972
Jobn M. Sbaw, M.D.
Palm Springs, Galifornia Vancouver, British Golumbia
1973
J. Walter Wilson, M.D.
1974
William Stewart, M.D.
Las Vegas, Nevada
1975
Robert J. McNamara, M.D.
Honolulu, Hawaii
1976
Walter Herold
Scottsdalo, Arizona
Meeting Agenda The sessions consist of a business meeting, a series of papers (often with subject symposia), a clinical histopathologic presentation and at times a clinical meeting. This last feature has decreased in popularity and usage, while the clinical-histopathologic session has proven to be one of the more popular features. Initiated by Louis Winer and Walter Nickel, this session is presented by a guest dermatopathologist who discusses each case; the discussion is followed by questions and discussion from the audi-
Table 2.
Past Secretaries
1949
Herman V. Allington, M.D.
1950
Walter R. Nickel, M.D.
1951-53
Ervin Epstein, M.D.
1954-56
Ben A. Newman, M.D.
1957-59
Louis H. Winer, M..D.
1960-62
Edward J. Ringrose, M.D.
1963-65
Gordon MacDonald, M.D.
1966-68
Mortimer S. Falk, M.D.
1969-71
John M. Sbaw, M.D.
1972-74
Robert J. McNamara, M.D.
1975
Jack E. McGleary, M.D.
458
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
ence. It has become the protoype of the similar presentations given at the meetings of the American Academy of Deimatology. It is said to be the first 2-screen meeting of this type. The Pacific Dermatologic Association has been grateful to its guests. In addition to such tangible rewards as expense money and honoraria, the Society has furnished a large interested audience, elected the dermatologic speakers to Honorary Corresponding Membership and furnished them with a plaque commemorating their appearance before this group. Except for the presiding officer who gives a Presidential Address, comparatively few members have been speakers at these meetings. Distance has been no barrier to oblaining distinguished speakers for our group. In addition to election to officerships or appointment to committees, those active in the affairs and growth of this organization are recognized also. A Certificate of Achievement (a very handsome plaque) is awarded for long and outstanding service to the Association. Commercial exhibitors are welcomed; they have been important in the growth and success of the organization. When the daily meetings are over, social events come to the fore, including cocktail parties, dinners, the president's banquet, trips and social features characteristic of the location of the meeting. Other Society Activities The Pacific Dermatologic Association enters into certain other activities, including an Essay Contest. Young dermatologists are encouraged to subtTiit research studies for a prize of $500 plus the opportunity of presenting their findings before the membership at the annual meeting, all expenses paid, including those of the essayist's spouse. The en-
July-August 1976
Vol. 15
tiies are judged by a blue ribbon committee consisting of Honorary Corresponding members (former guest speakers). The Society is active also in publications. A multipaged program is distributed before each meeting acquainting the membership with the scientific, social and competitive features available at the coming meeting. After the conclusion of the conclave, a larger Transactions is published and mailed to the members. This includes summaries written by authors of the presentations plus the results of the competitions and a summary of the social events. Every 2 years, a Directory is compiled and distributed to the tTiembers. This features individual photographs and a great deal of pertinent information about each member. This publication includes a roster by stales and cities, in addition to the pictures and biographies arranged alphabetically. The officers change according to definite regulations. The president and vice-president serve for one year. The Secretary-Treasurer is elected for 3 years. /\s a rule, he ascends to the presidency at the conclusion of his term, but this is not invariable. The historian is elected for 5 years and is the only officer who can be re-elected. Members of the committees are appointed for periods dictated by the number in the group. Most committees consist of 3 members. The appointees on such a committee serve 3 years with the senior member assuming the chairmanship and then dropping out as a new junior member is elected. Mrs. Florence Beardsley, the Executive Secretary, is the only paid employee of the organization. The success of the format is attested to by the growth of the Society from 85 to nearly 1000 members! Need more be said?
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