Stephen R. Ramsburgh, M.D.
President A. James French Society of Pathologists
                                                                                    
June 2006

 

I am taking the opportunity afforded me as the new president of the A. James French Society of Pathologists to individually contact all of you who underwent some of your training at the University of Michigan during the period of time that I have been associated with pathology here.  The oldest among you know that I started my path residency in 1994 and, for some reason that continues to baffle me, I am still here and enjoy the honor of numbering myself among the Surgical Pathology Faculty.  Even for an old, retired ex-surgeon this is pretty heady stuff. 

The stated purpose of the A. James French Society of Pathologists is three-fold.  It is to provide an opportunity for continuing education of its members, to foster clinical investigation in pathology by residents in training, and to promote fellowship of the members.  I am very interested in the fellowship component of this organization.  I believe that it is the friendships that have evolved from shared experiences that play the most important role in the survival of this organization. 

There are plenty of opportunities for continuing medical education and certainly all of us support clinical investigation by residents in training.  I would like to see the Society place more emphasis on providing an opportunity for continuing education as well as a reunion of its membership as a social event.  Returning to Ann Arbor seems just right for old friends and colleagues, who are spread across the country, to gather and revive old friendships. 

As I mentioned earlier, I am writing each of you individually to consider returning on a regular basis to Ann Arbor for the soon to be annual French Society meeting and CME Course.  I promise a fun social agenda to include a President’s Reception, a very nice dinner, and a brunch on Sunday morning for those who stay over Saturday.

I know all of you personally and I am certain that you would enjoy the opportunity of seeing each other again and sharing you experiences over the past ten years.  I also want you to meet the new Chairman, Dr. Jay Hess; the new head of Anatomical Pathology, Dr. Jeff Myers; and the new head of Surgical Pathology, Dr Dan Visscher.  I believe you want to know these new leaders of the department and I assure you that they want to know you.

 

Please consider this a formal invitation to renew your involvement with the A. James French Society of Pathologists and feel free to pick any one of the above stated reasons to return to Ann Arbor in the fall of 2007 and thereafter.