Reprinted with permission of AAP News, October 2004

Celebrating 75 years
Founding members laid strong foundation for Academy

by James E. Strain, M.D., FAAP

This is the first in a year-long series of articles leading up to the celebration of the Academy's 75th anniversary in October 2005.

In 1930, the Academy was created to advocate for children and engage in activities to improve child health. Seventy-five years later, the organization continues to be an effective voice for both children and pediatricians.

As the Academy looks forward to celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2005, it looks back on its roots and the founding fathers who helped the organization flourish.

Formation of the specialty
In the late 1700s, Benjamin Rush, M.D., discussed "diseases peculiar to children" in his lectures to medical students at the University of Pennsylvania. Eli Ives, M.D., a faculty member at the Medical Institution of Yale College (now Yale University), gave a series of lectures on diseases of children beginning in 1813.

However, full recognition of pediatrics as a specialty wasn't established in the United States until 1880, when Abraham Jacobi, M.D., organized the Section on Diseases of Children of the American Medical Association (AMA). Prior to that time, there were only regional and/or local pediatric societies but none of national significance.

In 1888, a second national pediatric organization was established, the American Pediatric Society. It consisted primarily of academic pediatricians whose primary interests were in research and teaching. The society's leadership attempted to become involved in the social and public health issues of the day, but the membership was reluctant to be burdened with political activities.

In 1930, the Academy of Pediatrics was established, becoming the third national pediatric organization.

Seed is planted
The idea of a new pediatric organization arose over the issue of government support of health care.

In 1922, the Sheppard-Towner Act was introduced in the Congress, authorizing the Children's Bureau to provide small grants to the states for maternal and child health programs. The AMA opposed the act as an attempt to socialize medicine. The Section on Diseases of Children supported the act, an action that was highly publicized in the media.

The AMA sent a "committee of wrath" to the Section on Diseases of Children condemning its action. Later, the AMA adopted a ruling that no AMA section could independently adopt a resolution in support of or opposing AMA policy. Furthermore, section activities would be confined to social functions and scientific presentations.

What followed was a period of discontent among pediatricians that resulted in the establishment of an organization that would speak up for children and become involved in child health issues. The Section on Diseases of Children decided to form a new organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, at the 1929 AMA annual meeting. Clifford Grulee, M.D., clinical professor and chairman of pediatrics at Rush Medical College, was asked to become its first secretary-treasurer.

The formal organization of the Academy took place in Detroit in 1930 with 35 charter members in attendance. Committees were formed, and Isaac Abt, M.D., was elected the first president. At the first Annual Meeting in Atlantic City in 1931, 304 members were enrolled in the Academy.

Tackling issues
Two major decisions were made soon after the organization of the Academy. The first was the issue of membership qualifications. To address this issue, the Academy recommended the establishment of the American Board of Pediatrics to assure the education and knowledge of future members. This board was to certify pediatricians by means of an oral examination. (It was only later that true-false and multiple-choice questions were added to the certification process.)

To avoid conflict of interest, it was decided that the governing body of the American Board of Pediatrics should be appointed by three organizations: the Academy of Pediatrics, the American Pediatric Society and the AMA Section on Diseases of Children. Certification by the American Board of Pediatrics became a requirement for membership in the Academy of Pediatrics.

The second decision was to publish a new pediatric journal under the sponsorship of the Academy. In 1931, Dr. Grulee was authorized to begin negotiations with the CV Mosby Co. to publish the Journal of Pediatrics. The cost was underwritten by a $5 subscription fee included in the annual AAP dues. The Academy would appoint the editor and editorial board and have responsibility for policies, articles and review of advertising. The first issue was published in 1932, and this arrangement continued until 1947 when the Academy withdrew its sponsorship and began publishing Pediatrics.

The American Academy of Pediatrics now provides continuing education to pediatricians through national and regional meetings, Pediatrics and other publications and online learning programs that are recognized worldwide for their excellence. Members are working at the local and national levels to provide for the unmet health needs of children. The Academy continues to be successful in Washington, speaking up on issues that affect children and pediatricians.

It is a tribute to the founding fathers of the Academy that the organization continues to be a leading advocate for the health and welfare of children.

Dr. Strain is a past president (1982-'83) and former executive director (1986-'93) of the Academy.

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