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News -> July, 2000 News
The first meeting of new millennium of the American Rhinologic Society was
most successful according to the reports from the CME forms submitted,
individual comments and the general atmosphere of the meeting. On Sunday,
May 14th the joint session with the ARS and AAFPRS allowed both memberships
the opportunity to examine areas of mutual interest concerning the nose,
reminding us again of the importance of combining form and function as we
assess and treat various nasal conditions. Dr. Toffel is to be commended for
putting together this very successful part of the program. Our two stand-alone
meetings were also interesting, innovative and well attended. Dr. Kuhn and his
Program Committee, consisting of Drs. Bolger and Lanza, gave us much to "take
home"; space does not allow elaboration of the many wonderful presentations
and discussions. I suggest if you could not attend these that you avail
yourself to a copy of the Program (through the Secretary's office) and at
least review the abstracts.
At the Board of Directors meeting several important business matters were
discussed and acted upon. I can only highlight a few of these; probably the
most important happening was the nomination of the Society's new
Secretary-Elect, Dr. Marvin Fried. Several outstanding candidates for the
position had been considered; however, Dr. Fried emerged as the unanimous
choice of the Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee and the Board of
Directors. He is now in the transition process of assuming this office so that
he may be able to assume full secretarial duties and responsibilities at the
fall meeting when Dr. Stucker's term ends, providing you the membership
endorses this decision with your vote at the Business Meeting. We are indeed
fortunate to have an individual of Dr. Fried's intelligence, commitment and
wisdom assume this most important position. I would be remiss at this time if
I did not thank Dr. Stucker for his years of service and dedication to this
organization. He has led us through tremendous progressive changes, and we all
owe him a great debt of gratitude.
Dr. James Denneny, Steering Committee Chairman of the Sinus and Allergy Health
Partnership. presented an update on this successful project. In addition to
the two ARS representatives to this group, Dr. David Kennedy has been
appointed Treasurer. If you wish a full report concerning all aspects of the
Partnership, it is available by fax at 202-955-5016.
Bylaw changes were acted upon and read at the subsequent business meeting;
they will be voted upon at the fall Business Meeting. The most noteworthy of
these proposed changes is a change in qualifications for a member to be
eligible for the Fellow category of membership. The change would require the
submission of 50 surgical rhinologic cases over two years.
Following Dr. Benninger's initiative of a couple of years ago, Dr. Toffel and
I have completed membership rosters for this year and are planning for full
committee meetings in the fall. I urge you to contact Dr. Kuhn and request to
be added to a committee next year. Active committee participation is
increasingly important. The ARS now has greater than 1,000 members. The scope
and activities of this organization require committees to perform much of the
Society's business via in depth deliberations, then to make recommendations to
the Board for action.
The Corporate Affiliates dinner was again a high point of our meeting. Under
the able leadership of this program, Dr. Toffel and his committee are
generating substantial financial support for our research program
(led by Dr. McCaffrey).
There are many other activities your Officers, Board of Directors and
committees are busily attending to, and I wish space would allow a more
detailed report. We will try to continue to keep you abreast of important
happenings through the Newsletter and our web site
(www.american-rhinologic.org).
However, there is no substitute to becoming involved through the various
committees and attending our spring and fall meetings as many of you are
doing. The American Rhinologic Society is the fastest growing of the
Otolaryngology Societies and now one of the largest. I feel we the ARS are
also the most progressive and attentive to the needs of our membership. I
feel very privileged to be your President.
Charles W. Gross, M.D.
ARS President
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
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