March
2005 - Dedicated to the Health of All Children, the new 212-page,
illustrated volume published by the American Academy of Pediatrics,
has received a 5-star rating from the well-known Doody's Book
Review Service for medical professionals.
Here
are some highlights from the review:
"This
is a unique book for pediatricians, in that it chronicles the
history of pediatrics in the United States and the growth and
development of the American Academy of Pediatrics."
"The illustrations are outstanding, and the pictures, particularly
from the early years, are instructional and inspiring."
"There is no other book quite like it, and it is outstanding.
It should be a part of every pediatrician's library."
July Excerpt
Dedicated to the Health of All Children
Text Excerpt from Chapter 2, The Birth of the American Academy
of Pediatrics: 1922 to 1935
When Drs [Isaac A.] Abt and [C. Anderson] Aldrich met with Dr
[Clifford G.] Grulee in his office in Evanston, they found that
he had already been contemplating the formation of a new pediatric
society and, in fact, had already drafted a letter that he was
going to send to pediatricians in key locations around the nation
calling for the formation of such a society. …In all written
accounts of the early days of the AAP, Dr Grulee's role is described
as being absolutely essential for the success of the project.
He, along with Drs Abt and [William P.] Lucas, were the key figures
in the founding of the AAP, but, as Dr Lucas wrote later:
"With no budget and no money in sight, Dr Grulee, with his
vision and imagination, his dynamic force, threw himself into
the organization, and the result is the work that Dr Grulee did
and we were simply accessories to it."
In December 1929, Drs Abt, Aldrich, and Grulee met to draw up
a detailed plan of organization. They drafted an outline of the
purposes of the new society, which was mailed to pediatricians
around the country in February 1930….
An organizational meeting for the new society was held in the
library of Harper Hospital in Detroit, MI, on June 23 and 24,
1930, with a group of 35 pediatricians in attendance. The actual
founding meeting took place on June 23. At that meeting, committees
were established to lay the groundwork for the new society: to
draft a constitution; develop a name for the new organization;
establish rules for membership; establish procedures for running
the central office; and more. The committees reported the next
day, a constitution and bylaws were adopted, and the new organization
was formally named the American Academy of Pediatrics. Additional
committees were appointed, including a Committee on Medical Education
and a Committee on Relation to the White House Conference and
Publications.
A list of approximately 400 pediatricians was compiled and these
pediatricians were invited to become charter members. Most of
those invited were personally or by reputation known to the 35
pediatricians who attended the organizational meeting and compiled
the mailing list. Officers for 1930-1931 were elected. The first
president was Dr Abt and the initial vice president was John L.
Morse, MD, who was a respected and admired pediatrician from Boston,
MA….
Quote
"This is a memorable day in the history of American pediatrics.
The founding of the Academy will have a far-reaching significance
in developing the scope and field of pediatrics and, I hope, a
beneficent influence on the life and health of those patients
whom the pediatricians will reach."
-- Isaac A. Abt, MD, from the first presidential address of the
American Academy of Pediatrics
Photo Excerpts from Chapter 2, The Birth of the American Academy
of Pediatrics: 1922 to 1935
Isaac A. Abt, MD, and John L. Morse, MD, the first American Academy
of Pediatrics president and vice president, respectively.
Clifford G. Grulee, MD, the first secretary-treasurer of the
American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr Grulee's letter inviting doctors to join the new organization. (click for larger image)
Table of Contents
Prologue
