WITHIN the past few years American medicine has made tremendous strides in prestige and influence. The Academy has contributed its part to this advance. But, progress has not been gained by accident. Behind the scenes in organized medicine are many conscientious and tireless workers who, by their enthusiasm and consecrated effort, are accomplishing the tasks with which they are confronted. Committee members are often unsung heroes in the solution of problems pertaining to the furtherance of more adequate medical care for children. The individual Academy member occasionally forgets how much so many of us owe to so few in the practical application of our ideals.
For example, those of you who attended the Annual Meeting at Toronto last fall heard the panel discussion on Pediatric Education; and saw the exhibit, describing some of the aims and objectives of our Committee on Medical Education. Under the inspired leadership of the Chairman, Dr. Lee F. Hill, this group is making progress in attempting to answer some of the questions posed by the Academy Survey of 1946-48. During the current year, continuation of regional conferences throughout the United States and Canada, with emphasis upon the problems of undergraduate education, has resulted in an intelligent exchange of ideas and an opportunity for discussion unparalleled in the history of North American medical schools. The inevitable result of these discussions will be an improvement of standards for medical education. Interpretation and evaluation of new ideas, inclusion of practical and progressive concepts for the betterment of medical school curricula, requires a great deal of time and effort.
