APS NEWS Merely To Survive Is Not An Index of Excellence This ancient wisdom is attributed to an unknown Talmudic scholar and represents an important benchmark to consider not only as we assess our roles as individuals but academic medicine at large and even our Society more specifically. Over the past several years, we have all been subjected to a variety of doom and gloom scenarios concerning the survival of academic medical centers, the research enterprise in general, and the fate of academic pediatrics as we have known it. Yet, if we step back and assess the current circumstance, true optimism for the future and the sustenance of excellence is evident. In fact, academic medical centers have survived and many have continued to prosper, if not financially, at least from a research and teaching perspective despite the rather remarkable convulsions in medical economics. Applications to medical schools are high, enthusiasm for the pursuit of medicine and altruistic contributions are strong in our students and our residents, and pediatrics is seeing some of the largest numbers of applicants for residency positions in the history of the discipline. The motivation of these individuals to pursue academic careers must be based on the pursuit of new knowledge represented by excellence in research, both basic and clinical. If we apply these same principles to our own Society, it becomes clear that survival, alone, has not been the ethic of the American Pediatric Society but rather the pursuit of excellence in many dimensions has characterized our involvement in new endeavors extending from the student research program to the development of the Pediatric Research Foundation. Active and committed Presidents along with our Council have taken on new challenges and pursued issues of vital importance not just to our Society but academic pediatrics, as well. We have forged a strong relationship with the Society for Pediatric Research based on a common mission and goals and characterized by coordinated activities with the flexibility to appreciate differences while respecting each others special identity. The close working relationship between the leadership of the APS and SPR, over the past several years, has provided a foundation for the advocacy for pediatric research and the recognition of excellence in research accomplishments. Our relationship with the APA is evolving and is based on more extensive interactions over the past few years and is characterized by good intent, a clear recognition of areas of common interest and respect for differences which are inherent in each of our Societies. A strong and mutually respectful relationship between the APS, the SPR and the APA is absolutely essential for not only the survival but also the achievement of excellence in academic pediatrics. We are fortunate that our Central Office staff not only meets but exceeds the admonitions of this ancient proverb. Our Executive Director, Debbie Anagnostelis, provides leadership for our organization with an unparallel level of commitment and dedication not only to the goals and missions of the APS and SPR, but to excellence in all endeavors and the pursuit of academic goals. Kathy Cannon, our Associate Executive Director, who has not only responsibilities for APS activities but overall responsibility for the financial stability of both the APS and SPR, pursues these endeavors with a meticulous attention to detail, strong advocacy and a commitment to excellence which is impressive and responsible for many of our achievements and the stability of our organization. It is also of interest to contrast survival and excellence with respect to the annual PAS meeting. If simple survival were our goal, the meeting would be considerably less complex and we would not have seen the evolution of a highly integrated meeting which is the result of the formation of the Program Committee and the commitment of the leadership of the APS, SPR and APA. The result has been an excellent series of meetings, each growing in scope and dimension and representing the best in academic pediatrics. Our 1999 meeting is exciting. The high quality and variety of the state-of-the-art symposia are impressive and the quality of the new science to be presented will be dependent on the submission of abstracts by members of all three Societies. Our meeting in the Year 2000 will represent the combined efforts of not only the APS/SPR/APA but also the AAP. While it would have been appealing to approach this mega endeavor with a survival attitude, the initial plans which have been developed for this meeting, and the spirit with which programming is intended, give every indication that excellence, rather than survival alone, will be our target. As members of the APS, each of you should be proud that our Society is not just a survivor but, in fact, a benchmark for excellence and only our commitment of new, innovative research to the annual meeting and personal involvement in the activities of the Society can ensure our survival but more importantly, enhance our pursuit of excellence. |