Stephen R. Ramsburgh, M.D.
President James A. French Society of Pathologists
            

April 2006
                              

It is with both pleasure and a sense of excitement that I assume the leadership of A. James French Society of Pathologists.    I have always been quite pleased to count myself among the membership of the French Society.  As you know, the Society was formed by pathologists who received their training under A. James French and wanted to acknowledge their gratitude for his teaching, guidance, and leadership by forming a society to honor him in perpetuity.

Personally my membership in the French Society represents a bit of a circle in my career.  For almost thirty years I have been a member of the Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society.  That Society was founded in 1947 by surgical residents to express “the esteem, respect, and affection” they had for Dr. Coller.

The stated purpose of the French Society is to provide an annual opportunity for the continuing education of its members, to promote fellowship among the members, and to foster clinical investigation in pathology by residents in training.  For your interest, the purpose of the Collar Society is to promote the Art and Science of Surgery, to foster education, and to perpetuate friendships.

Partly as a reflection of my background and experience, I believe the most valuable thing both these societies offer is a way to perpetuate friendships and promote fellowship.  These societies meet regularly primarily so that old friends and colleagues can get together to share “war stories”, relive the days of their residency, and discuss the myriad of events that occur during one’s career - a reunion.  I am very anxious that during my term as President this emphasis on the renewal of friendships and fellowship become a major reason for all of you to return to Ann Arbor on a regular basis. 

I take this opportunity to share with you some changes that are afoot within the Society. 

I proposed and the Board has approved the establishment of a traveling fellowship for pathology residents as part of the educational program of the Society. This fellowship will be sponsored and financially supported by the funds of the Society.  Pathology residents eligible for such a fellowship must be in a training program in which a member of the Society is involved in his or her training. The resident must be far enough advanced in training to benefit from the experience and should complete the fellowship prior to the last six months of his or her training.  The fellowship will be to clinical institutions within the Continental United States and last seven to ten days. Application forms for these fellowships must be completed and submitted to the President of the Society by May 1 of each year.  Initially one fellowship will be authorized each year, but there is no reason why the number in any one year can’t be determined by the number of applications from qualified residents and the funds available.  The board of directors of the Society will review the applications and determine the successful candidate(s).  When a fellowship is completed, the resident should submit a report in writing of his or her observations and impressions to the President of the Society.

There is a great deal interest in the membership here at the University of Michigan to combine the Society meeting with a more defined and structured annual two and a half day continuing medical education course.  The subject of such a course would obviously vary from meeting to meeting but will have a practical theme and will be co-sponsored by the A. James French Society and the Department of Pathology.  We are planning on all day Thursday and Friday, and Saturday morning - approximately 17 CME credits.  I guest speaker of international stature will deliver the A. James French Lecture in Pathology on Saturday morning.  We will and are moving in this direction.

Finally and most significantly I am going to work hard, as will many of the other members of the French Society, to promote the subject I dealt with earlier, namely the perpetuation of friendships and fellowship.  I want the emphasis to be on the social aspects of and personal advantages to a reunion-type of gathering coupled with continuing education opportunities.  I want to increase the opportunities for the membership to be together in an informal social setting.  I propose a welcoming reception the afternoon/evening before the meeting.  Of course, there will also be a dinner complete with after dinner entertainment for course attendees sponsored by the French Society.  For those who are still in Ann Arbor Sunday morning, I would like to offer a brunch and one last opportunity to touch base with our colleagues. 

I sincerely hope that you find these modest changes in the A. James French Society to your liking.  I am open to any and all suggestions and welcome your input as to how to best proceed to increase the stature, viability, and inherent enjoyment that the A. James French Society of Pathologists has to offer.