PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

ONE OF THE most important projects of the Academy in recent years has been the sponsorship of postgraduate courses. This program grew out of discussions of the Executive Board, led by Carl Fischer. The idea was welcomed by the Committee on Medical Education, then chaired by Ed McClusky, and a subcommittee was named to study the proposal. They found few courses tailored to the pediatricans's need as a specialist. It was also evident that more opportunity for clinical conference teaching and teaching from patients should be provided. The architect of the report outlining the plan for these courses was the Subcommittee of the Education Committee headed by Harry Towsley. This Committee's report was accepted by the Executive Board in April, 1958. The Academy's program is designed to provide the membership with postgraduate courses both in subspecialty areas and in general pediatrics. The Academy's headquarters staff administers the courses under the capable direction of our Secretary, Bob Frazier, and the supervision of the Subcommittee on Postgraduate Education. Appropriately, the first postgraduate course was held at the University of Michigan Medical School, March 2, 3, 4 and 5 of 1959. Two courses were held the first year, the other being at Vanderbilt under Amos Christie. Four were conducted in 1960, and during this academic year, six courses have been planned. With this experience of almost three years, judging by the member and the generally favorable comments of those who have attended, it is apparent that our postgraduate program has gotten off to a very good start. I congratulate all those who were instrumental in bringing this program into being.