Reprinted from Annals of Allergy, Vol. 70, Number 6, June 1993

Presidental address Proud of the past: planning for the future Joseph A. Bellanti, MD*

INTRODUCTION for the future. Asthma, Hayfever and Allergic Dis- Members and Fellows of the Amer- eases referred to as the "Western ican College of Allergy and Immu- At this 50th Year Anniversary of Society" founded in 1923 and the nology, friends and guests, it is a the founding of the College, we re- Society for the Study of Asthma and special honor and privilege for me turn to Chicago, the site of the first Allied Disorders referred to as to give this Presidential Address on annual meeting. As the 50th Presi- the "Eastern Society" which was the occasion of this year's meeting dent, I thought it would be appro- founded in 1924. Amalgamation of which marks the 50th Year Anni- priate to reflect on how the College these two national allergy societies versary of the founding of the Col- began, how it has grown, and how led to the formation of the Ameri- lege. At the outset, I should like to we are planning for the future. can Academy of Allergy and Im- express my sincere thanks for the munology on December 4, 1943, 1 privilege you have given me to serve THE EARLY YEARS year after the founding of the Col- as your President. I wish particularly (1942-1956) lege. to thank the Board of Regents, the The American College of Allergists Executive Staff, and the entire was officially incorporated as a legal Cooke held the view that certifi- membership for your unstinting entity on November 23, 1942 in cation of physicians should occur support and encouragement over Minneapolis, MN.' On December only as a subspecialty of internal this past year. I would also like to 11, 1942, at the first meeting of the medicine under the auspices of the express my thanks to the Past Pres- incorporators which was held at the new subspecialty board of Allergy a idents for their wise counsel and Muelebach Hotel in Kansas City, subspecialty of the American Board MO, its first officers were selected of Internal Medicine. A grandfather contributions upon which the pro- mechanism had been set in place gress of this organization has oc- (Table 1) and consisted of a 5- member Board of Directors which that allowed internists to be certified curred. I also wish to express pub- by the ABIM if they held a faculty licly my gratitude to the many appointed a 9-member Board of Re- gents. At this meeting, the goals of position at a class A medical school people who have enriched my life: and if they had reached the age of my parents who gave me the gift of the organization were fully dis- cussed and it was tentatively de- 40 by July 1, 1937. Owing to a life and who encouraged me always technicality amounting to a 1-day to strive for excellence; my wife Jac- cided that no national meeting be held until after the war and that all late submission of a membership queline and children and grandchil- application, a Dr. Frederick W. Wit- dren, who have stood beside me in functions of the College would con- tinue to be carried out either by the tich of Minneapolis set out on a all my work and who have helped divergent and unanticipated course me find the joy in it; my teachers, Board of Directors or by the newly created Board of Regents. At this and founded the American College colleagues, students, fellows at of Allergists.2 Georgetown University and my meeting the qualifications of a num- friends in the College who have ber of individuals seeking member- ship were also considered and 45 FREDERICK W. WITTICH: * President (1991-1992), American Col- founding members were elected THE MAN WHO FOUNDED lege of Allergy and Immunology. Presented at the 50th Anniversary Meet- (Table 2), two of whom were THE AMERICAN COLLEGE ing of the American College of Allergy and women. OF ALLERGISTS AND WHO Immunology, Chicago, Illinois, November In order to understand the dy- NEVER BECAME PRESIDENT! 14, 1992. namics that led to the formation of {1885-1965) From the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology and the International Center the College, it is important to review What do we know about this man? for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology, the diverse forces that were opera- What were his motivations? What Georgetown University School of Medicine, tive at this time. In 1942, there were Washington, DC 20007. a number of powerful national fig Received for publication December 30, 1992. ures such as Dr. Robert A. Cooke Accepted for publication February 2, of New York City who were shaping 1993. guided me and taught me and the destiny of allergy in the United who have made me proud of the States. The two major allergy orga- past and with whom I have been nizations prevalent at that time were privileged to participate in planning the Western Society for the Study of

VOLUME 70, JUNE, 1993 445 were his contributions? Dr. Wittich family of Lutheran pastors, educa- Brooklyn, NY from which the fa- was no ordinary man, he was a dy- tors, and physicians.' His grand- mous preacher, the Reverend Henry namic individual with a great deal mother, Pauline Wittich, was ac- Ward Beecher, was graduated. Dr. of drive, a strong will, and a capacity corded the distinct honor of being Wittich graduated from Johns Hop- for leadership. Dr. Frederick Wil- the first woman to practice medi- kins University School of Medicine liam Wittich (Fig. 1) was born in cine in Germany and his grand- in 1913 and received his postdoc- Carlisle, PA in 1885 of a notable father established an academy in toral training in medicine and pul- monology at the University of Min- Table 1. The Founding of American College of Allergists* nesota Extension at Minneapolis where he later became Assistant Incorporators of the American College of Allergists, Inc. Professor. In addition to his role as Dr. Bernard Efron, New Orleans, LA the founding father of the College, Dr. Ralph Bowen, Houston, TX Dr. Wittich's research contributions Dr. Fred Wittich, Minneapolis, MN are noteworthy. He is perhaps best First Board of Directors known for his studies of models of Dr. Ralph Bowen, Houston, TX, Vice-President allergic disease in the experimental Dr. Bernard Efron, New Orleans, LA, President animal and was the first to demon- Dr. French Hansel, St. Louis, MO strate clinical allergy in the dog. Dr. Orville Withers, Kansas City, MO Dr. Fred Wittich, Minneapolis, MN, Secretary-Treasurer His services to the American Col- lege of Allergists were many. He was First Board of Regents the driving force behind the found- Dr. Ralph Bowen, Houston, TX Dr. Ethan Allan Brown, Boston, MA ing of the College and he served Dr. French Hansel, St. Louis, MO as Secretary-Treasurer from 1942- Dr. Bernard Efron, New Orleans, LA 1955. Dr. Wittich also served the Dr. Tell Nelson, Evanston, IL College for many years as Managing Dr. J. Warrick Thomas, Cleveland, OH Editor of the Annals of Allergy and Dr. Erich Urbach, Philadelphia, PA in that capacity used the Annals as Dr. Orval Withers, Kansas City, MO a vehicle of communication for Dr. Fred Wittich, Minneapolis, MN events occurring in allergy, as a * Articles of Incorporation filed in Minneapolis, Minnesota November 23, 1942 by Mr. Eloi Bauers, forum for exchange of ideas, and for Counsel. implementation of the goals of the

Table 2. Original Membership: the 45 Founding Members"

Name Location Name Location Marion T. Davidson Fort Benning, Georgia G. W. Owen Jackson, Mississippi Hal M. Davison Atlanta, Georgia Orval R. Withers Kansas City, Missouri Mason I. Lowance Atlanta, Georgia French K. Hansel St. Louis, Missouri Ralph G. Mills Decatur, Illinois Earl Carpenter Superior, Wisconsin Tell Nelson San Francisco, California J. W. Thomas Cleveland, Ohio Edward G. Tatge Evanston, Illinois Fannie Lou Leney Oklahoma City, Oklahoma John Peters Maywood, Illinois Carrol M. Pounders Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Mildred Merkle Peoria, Illinois Erich Urbach Philadelphia, Pennsylvania C. B. Bohner Indianapolis, Indiana Philip Gottlieb Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Lawrence J. Halpin Atlanta, Georgia Berthold M. Stem Philadelphia, Pennsylvania S. W. French (Honorary Fellow) Atlanta, Georgia George C. Hardie Jackson, Michigan B. G. Efron New Orleans, Louisiana Robert S. McGrath Washington, D.C. Nathan I. Schaffer New Orleans, Louisiana R. H. Alter Jackson, Michigan W. H. Browning Jefferson Barracks, Missouri Barney Credille Flint, Michigan Ethan Allan Brown Boston, Massachusetts A. A. Gavey Springfield, Ohio W. L. Marr Galveston, Texas Michael Zeller Chicago, Illinois Ralph Bowen Houston, Texas Herbert Rinkel Kansas City, Missouri Homer E. Prince Houston, Texas Albert R. Zoss Cincinnati, Ohio George J. Seibold Fort Sam Houston, Texas John P. Henry Memphis, Tennessee James E. Stroh Oakland, California George C. Rockwell Cincinnati, Ohio W. A. Mowry Madison, Wisconsin Cecil M. Kohn Kansas City, Missouri F. W. Wittich Minneapolis, Minnesota Meryl Fenton Miami, Florida I. M. Hinnant Santa Ana, California

ment and circulation of a publi- shall meet from time to time for cation. It was desirable, however, the purpose of promoting and ad- that the publication if it were to vancing the study, research and carry weight be authorized to clinical knowledge of allergy as it speak as the official organ of some applies to the various specialties established national group such as in medicine; ours. It was the development and to maintain and advance the carrying out of this thought that highest possible standards among was responsible for the birth of those engaged in the practice of The American College of Aller- allergy; gists. to perpetuate the best traditions The establishment and circula- of medicine and medical ethics; tion of a new publication is al- to establish standards for the qual- ways a difficult task and as we ification, and procedure for the were at that time engaged in certification of men engaged in World War II, the difficulties the specialty of allergy; were greatly multiplied. The first to maintain the dignity and effi- Figure 1. Frederick W. Wittich (1885- President of the College as well as ciency of this specialty and its re- 1965). another member of its first Board lation to public welfare; of Regents, were both bitterly op- to promote friendly intercourse College. His role and motivation in posed to my starting a new pub- among those engaged in the prac- the founding of the College are best lication because to them it looked tice of allergy. summarized in his own words ex- like an extravagant and almost In order to attain these overall cerpted from an August 27, 1949 hopeless task and one which was goals, a set of specific objectives letter4 which he wrote to the Board practically certain to be doomed was also delineated in the original of Regents: to failure. While in my own mind, Charter: I realize that these good men were "My correspondence files show to consider allergy as a specialty probably right in the conclusion which must be correlated with that the College was conceived in they had reached, I also knew that my office and at my own desk. I every other specialty of medicine; if we were to establish such an had been for some time engaged organ someone had to take a to give proper recognition to those in the preparation of a written chance and I decided that I would serious, earnest, and conscien- statement, the purpose of which take that chance and that I would tious workers practicing allergy as was to point up the evils of sub- ignore their opinions and go well as any scientist who has made certification as they then were, ahead with THE ANNALS OF valuable contributions to our and now are, established. I was ALLERGY in spite of their re- knowledge of allergy; striving in this statement to crys- peated objections. Acting upon to integrate, harmonize and cen- tali 7e the thoughts and the gist of that impulse I almost single hand- tralize, without losing the identity many conversations on the sub- edly set up the first issue in which or encroaching upon the rights of ject which I had had over the I undertook to explain our aims, the various allergy societies in the years and long before the estab- ambitions and purposes in an op- American states into a College lishment of a College for the great timistic editorial of which I shall with a clear perspective of the lat- number of men including many always be very proud." ter's definition as set forth by the of you. It was my purpose in these other Colleges for the purpose of joint talks to try and establish a establishing certain standards for procedure of certification in al- WHY A COLLEGE? the practice of allergy; lergy and it became apparent to In the first issue of the Annals of to standardize methods for the di- me that if this goal were to be Allergy, there appeared a lead edi- agnosis and treatment of allergic accomplished, it would require an torial written by Wittich himself en- states by means of a central labo- extensive campaign of education titled "Why A College?"5 together ratory for such purposes, as well among medical men generally with the Aims and Purposes of the as a statistical bureau of infor- and more especially those en- College.6 mation on any and all subjects gaged in the field of allergy. I The overall goals of the College pertaining to allergy; came to the conclusion that the as set forth in the original Charter to make possible through the fa- logical way to carry on such an were: cilities of certain of its "Fellows" educational campaign and reach the establishment of an organiza- the men in the fields concerned tion of qualified medical men and would be through the establish- scientists of good standing who

VOLUME 70, JUNE, 1993 447 or the central laboratory, a course Recognizing and upholding (12) Homer E. Prince for the training and recognition of reasonable standards, the policy (13) Lawrence J. Halpin laboratory technicians in allergic of the A.C.A. is to be, at all procedures as well as postgraduate times, a liberal and a democratic studies for any of its members; one, a fact which should prove the dissemination of knowledge especially heartening to the pertaining to allergy through the younger men interested in this medium of a current journal specialty, who need the which will contain departments encouragement that comes representing all phases of the sub- with early and fitting rec- ject; ognition... . the establishment of a Founda- The A.C.A. wishes to be help- tion through funds donated by ful, sympathetic and understand- wealthy persons or grateful vic- ing. Its doors are at all times im- tims of the disease who are desir- partially open to all who possess ous of furthering our knowledge the necessary qualifications to and scope of allergy; meet its standards and require- the holding of an annual, and ments for eligibility to member- later, if possible, sectional meet- ship. It bespeaks for itself the good ings of the College at which the will and support of all medical various existing allergy societies org nizations, including existing would participate for the purpose allergy groups and societies." of presenting articles on scientific F.W. research and practical refresher The purpose, the motivation and courses on allergy. the genesis for the formation of the The reason why the College came College, was that of a group of ded- into existence is found in the lead icated visionaries who believed that article' and is best expressed in Wit- there was a need for a liberal dem- tich's own words: ocratic organization, ecumenical in "The American College of Aller- its composition and receptive to its gists came into existence because charge to build and develop an or- of the deep-seated conviction of ganization that could meet the its founders that a liberal organi- needs of the practicing allergist and zation, based upon and combin- ultimately the patient whom we ing the principles of humility and serve—a charge that has been main- justice, is needed to fill an impor- tained with fidelity. tant gap in the present structure of allergic affairs. In all sincerity the College invites the coopera- LEADERSHIP IN THE EARLY tion, respect and support of all YEARS those who consider allergy as a The succession of College presidents specialty, and who share the con- viction of its founders that the Table 3. Milestones in the Development of the ACAI: the Early Years (1942- 1956) internists of the future must be, in the early President Year Meeting Site (Year) first of all, a master of allergy. It years is will be the purpose of the A.C.A. shown in Table and the Annals of Allergy to em- phasize and consider numerous (1) Bernard J. Efron phases of allergy heretofore en- (2) French K. Hansel tirely overlooked by other groups. (3) Harry L. Rogers It is hoped in this connection, that (4) Leon Unger the central laboratory for the (5) Hal M. Davison making of standardized purified (6) George E. Rockwell diagnostic allergenic extracts will (7) Johnathan Forman eventually be made available to (8) John H. Mitchell all who wish to make use of its (9) Harold A. Abramson facilities. (10) J. Warrick Thomas (11) M. Murray Peshkin

448 ANNALS—OF ALLERGY 3. Although no meeting was 1953-54 Miami Beach (1954) held during the first year (1942) 1954-55 Chicago (1955) because the country was at war, 1955-56 New York (1956) Dr. Bernard J. Efron served as first President of the College from 1942-1943 (Fig. 2) and business was conducted by the Board of Regents. Dr. Efron is best remembered for his work on the development of the method for purification of house dust extract and for the demonstration of the unitarian and specific nature of this anti- gen by comparative skin tests with extracts prepared from multiple sources.8 Of the original founding group, Dr. French Hansel (Fig. 3) was to play one of the most significant roles in shaping the future of the College during its formative years.9 In addition to serving as President during the first annual meeting in 1944, he was the first Editor- in-Chief of the Annals of Allergy. The first annual meeting of the American College of Allergists was held on June 10- 12, 1944 (Fig. 4) at the Palmer House in Chicago.]°" The program consisted of 28 pres- entations with a significant number devoted to allergic disease in the military with papers presented by Colonel French and Major Halpin. Other topics included otolaryngologic, pediatric, gastroenterologic allergy and allergy of the central nervous system as well as some pio- neering lecturers in dermatologic manifestations of nonreaginic food allergy by Dr. Arthur Coca, immu-

1942-43 —0— 1943-45 Chicago (1944) 1945-46 San Francisco (1946) 1946-47 Atlantic City (1947) 1947-48 New York City (1948) 1948-49 Chicago (1949) 1949-50 St. Louis (1950) 1950-51 Chicago (1951) 1951-52 Pittsburgh (1952) 1952-53 Chicago (1953)

VOLUME 70, JUNE, 1993 449

First Annua Meetin

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June 10 and 11, 1944 Palmer Fiouse

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Figure 2. Bernard G. Efron (1902-1960).

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Figure 4. First Annual Meeting, American College of Allergists, June 10 and 11,1944, Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois. (From Ann Allergy 1944;2:129-150). "To closely coordinate the inves- military. By 1946 the College had tigative and clinical observations grown and three functions were of immunology and allergy ob- delineated13: education, certifi- served in the lower animals with cation, and public relations, the lat- those in humans in a united effort ter including a research foundation to further our knowledge of these (Table 4). Dr. Harry L. Rogers pre- subjects for the health betterment sided over the second meeting of the Figure 3. French K. Hansel, M.D. (1893- of both man and animal" College which was held on June 28— 1981). (From Ann Allergy 1944;2:150). probably reflecting the influence of 30,1946 in San Francisco.' In the nologic studies of hayfever by Dr. Wittich who pioneered this field.' January 1946 issue of the Annals of Mary Loveless, asthma, by Dr. Leon The 1940-1945 Board of Regents Allergy, the formation of the Amer- Unger and drug allergy by Dr. Ethan of the American College of Allerg- ican Society of Certified Allergists Allan Brown. At the time of this ists is shown in Figure 5. In 1945 was announced" as a division of the first meeting a veterinary section of the annual meeting, originally sched- American College of Allergists. immunology and allergy was orga- uled for Philadelphia, June 16-17, nized and was included in the pro- was canceled. This action was taken gram. The purpose of this section voluntarily because so many of the was: membership were serving in the

450 ANNALS—OF ALLERGY

I.. ki I . e., - 1947), a pioneer scholar, teacher, Figure 5. The 1944-1945 Board of Regents of the American College of the American College and clinical researcher who contrib- of Allergists. (From Ann Allergy 1945;3:72). uted immeasurably to our basic knowledge in allergy notably in the field of bronchial asthma16; Dr. Hal M. Davison of Atlanta, our 5th President (1947-48) a keen diagnos- tician and a leader in allergy who was acknowledged to be the first physician who practiced allergy in the southeastern part of the US and who became the first President of the Southeastern Allergy Associa- tion. In 1949 the College returned to the Palmer House in Chicago for its 5th annual meeting during the presidency of Dr. George Rockwell (1948-49) whose work in the frac- tionation of ragweed pollen estab- lished the basis for future character- ization of the active component. Shown in Figure 7 are the 10 members of the 1948-1949 Board of Regents. Included on the Board were Dr. Johnathan Forman (1949- 50) of Columbus, Ohio our 7th President, a scholar, clinician, and scientist who during a long and distinguished career contributed greatly to many scholarly subjects including the role of trace elements and nutrition; John H. Mitchell (1950-1951), a good clinician who served diligently as our 8th Presi- dent; Dr. Harold Abramson (1951- 52) of New York City our 9th President, a brilliant pulmonary physiologist who contributed greatly not only to our knowledge of aerosols and their therapeutic ap- plications but also in later years to our understanding of the psycholog- ical factors involved in allergic dis- "The purpose of this Board is to from New York who was later to ease; and Dr. Boen Swinny of San certify physicians in the specialty become our 1 1 th President. Antonio who made great leadership of Allergy. The need for this ac- Although a number of certificates contributions to the College and tion is apparent since allergy per- were issued, this Certifying Board who later became our 22nd Presi- meates so many special fields of was eventually terminated by Pesh- dent (1964-65). medicine that any other method kin and the endeavor became an The year 1951 marked another of certification will be inade- important forerunner for the even- landmark date for the leadership quate." tual establishment of a separate cer- role of the College in the interna- Although a number of College lead- tifying board in allergy and immu- tional arena. Conceived through the ers were involved in this endeavor, nology as we know it today. efforts of Dr. Wittich, the Interna- prominent in this movement was Several other prominent figures tional Association of Allergology Dr. Murray Peshkin, then Secre- led the organization during these tary-Treasurer, a feisty allergist early years. Significant among these were Dr. Leon Unger of Chicago (Fig. 6) our 4th President (1946-

454 ANNALS—OF ALLERGY Table 4. ACA Organizational Chart (1946) brought the voice of moderation in THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ALLERGISTS, INC. bringing together disparate elements Staff of Officers into a semblance of order and con- President, President-Elect, First and Second Vice Presidents, tinued progress. Secretary-Treasurer, Board of Regents (10 members) (Constitution and By-Laws) Since there was no support for full-time faculty or funding for re- search or training programs during this period, these early pioneers Division of Education (Separate Division of Certification The Division of Public Relations Governing Rules and By-Laws) American Society of Certified (Separate Governing were both the founding fathers of Allergists Rules and By-Laws) the organization and they also Dean, Asst. Dean, Secretary (Separate Governing Rules and Director, Asst. Director, served as the backbone of the spe- By-Laws) Secretary cialty through their contributions as (1) Intensive Fall Instructional Course President, Secretary-Treasurer, (1) National Foundation voluntary clinical chiefs at many (2) Regional Spring Instructional Board of Directors for Allergy. (Fund rais- hospitals and medical schools. Were Courses The American Board for the ing by laymen—Annual it not for the efforts of these individ- (3) College Annual Session—Joint Certification of Allergists Membership) uals, the field of allergy probably meeting with The American A. Fund for Research would not have had a start. Society of Certified Allergists B. Fund for Prevention (4) The official publication of the of Asthma THE MIDDLE YEARS College—Annals of Allergy— (2) News and Press Re- Spanish Supplement leases (1957-1974) 3 (5) Committee on Undergraduate ( ) Certification of Aller- The middle years were significant and Graduate Education in Al- genic Extracts, Drugs, for other reasons. This period rep- lergy—Speakers Bureau Cosmetics, etc, for Al- resented a transitional interval of lergists. F.W.W. continued growth that linked the early pioneering efforts of the first and also in the organization of pro- period with the significant accom- grams and special workshops as well plishments of recent years. The as the publication of the proceedings leadership of the middle years is in special supplements to the An- shown in Table 5. It can be seen nals. that the leaders of this period were In 1952 the College celebrated its not only practicing allergists but decennial anniversary. In 10 years also were individuals who were the College membership had in- starting to make connections with creased from 45 to 1050 and had academic institutions. In assessing become a thriving organization ful- the contribution of the College it is filling many of the objectives for important to reflect upon the tone which it was originally conceived.18 of the country at this time. This was One nagging problem that still re- a time of peace and prosperity. The mained was the issue of certification nation had gone through World and the early leaders were intent on War II and the Korean War and continuing the struggle for the es- during this postwar period, the fruits tablishment of a separate board for of technology were beginning to be the certification of allergists and de- applied. The discovery of IgE, one voted considerable energy to this Figure 6. Leon Unger, MD (1891-1979); of the great contributions of this President (From Ann Allergy 1947;5:160; end. period, has had profound effects on 1980;44:250-251). The period of the early years the field of allergy and immunology. ended with the presidencies of such The technologic applications of this leaders such as J. Warrick Thomas discovery continue to occur and held its first meeting in Zurich, of Richmond, a gentleman who have led to better diagnostic and Switzerland (September 23-29, 1951) guided the organization as our 10th therapeutic approaches to the pa- and was attended by 600 partici- President (1952-53); Dr. Murray tient with allergy. pants from 28 different countries.' M. Peshkin our 1 1 th President Dr. Wittich served as the first Pres- (1953-54), an intense, highly ener- ident and the College has continued getic leader; Dr. Homer E. Prince our 12th President who contributed to play a major role in this organi- much to our knowledge of mold zation both as a sponsoring member allergy; and Dr. Larry Halpin who

VOLUME 70, JUNE, 1993 451 medical schools. The physician will encounter the allergic reac- tion in every phase of medicine, and he should be able to recognize it in all forms. Then too the med- ical student must be exposed to education in allergy if he is to consider it as a specialty. The Gra:nria:-. 1t ,,.n]:; 3.1:116k1, need for more men in our field may not seem too acute now but 13 OIVIT1111S V.9101.1f,!.•3.4. . it can be expected to become very • • ..:!1?"..eiirten::Ern5e::... • :::riitarnbus Ohio real in a few years. . . . I would like to see a full time instructor in allergy in each med- ical school. This of course would be a long term objective but per- haps we should use it as a goal towards which to work. Those of us who teach or hold clinics in medical schools can work towards this individually. There is much Kansas City, Misz.onri we can do by presenting the cause for allergy and the need for more education in allergy, thus strengthening our relations with the deans and professors of med- icine."

, President Giles A. Koelsche (Fig. M,IKK /,,, XI I, - al. OW:Ain A.. 8), our 18th President (1960-61) was the first of a group of leaders from the Mayo Clinic who was a I:. , champion of the establishment of a ”il;11,: • . 4 i•• separate board. He served on the Committee of Certification and to- gether with other College and Acad- emy leaders led the campaign for this cause. He fought and opposed the creation of autonomous boards, RatgAntonick the rumblings of which were resur- facing at this time, re-echoing the aborted certifying board that Pesh- kin had attempted in the 1940s. Figure 7. The 1948-1949 Board of Regents of the American College of Allergists. (From Ann One of our College's best and Allergy 1949;7:122). brightest leaders was Philip M. form of therapy. Other College lead- Gottlieb, 19th President (1961-62), Ethan Allan Brown, the 14th ers who followed were Drs. Withers President (1956-57) and Editor of who joined as a founding College (1957-58), Moore (1958-59) and member while still a young 1st Lieu- the Annals of Allergy (1956-1965), Kohn (1959-60) who made their was a colorful, intelligent, some- tenant stationed at that time in Tus- contributions in development of caloosa, Alabama. One of the most what eccentric individual who fine educational programs and each was an accomplished lecturer and dedicated leaders in the field, his stressed the importance of more al- contributions span over four dec- teacher and who was a firm believer lergy in medical school curricula. in the so-called "repository" or ades as a teacher, clinical investiga- President Moore wrote in his 1959 tor and a creative and innovative emulsion form of immunotherapy Presidential Address,'9 (Table 5). Several issues of the An- leader. In the 1970s he spearheaded nals ofAllergy during this period are "It is our obligation as allergists full of voluminous reviews written to see that allergy is given ample by Brown himself that describe this time in the curriculums of our

Table 5. Milestones in the Development of the ACAI: the Middle Years (1957-1974) hospital setting as a laboratory for President Year Meeting Site (Year) clinical research. This presentation (14) Ethan Man Brown 1956-57 Chicago (1957) impressed me as I have long held (15) Orval R. Withers 1957-58 Atlantic City (1958) this belief and have given this mes- (16) Merle W. Moore 1958-59 San Francisco (1959) sage to my fellows. In short, the (17) Cecil M. Kohn 1959-60 Miami Beach (1960) clinician needs continually to ask (18) Giles M. Koelsche 1960-61 Dallas (1961) questions of his patients. In his Pres- (19) Philip M. Gottlieb 1961-62 Minneapolis (1962) idential Address, Dr. Henderson, (20) Mayer A. Green 1962-63 New York (1963) quoting da Costa's valedictorian ad- (21) Morris A. Kaplan 1963-64 Miami Beach (1964) 1964-65 Las Vegas (1965) dress to the graduating class of Jef- (22) Been Swinny, Sr. 1965-66 Chicago (1966) (23) M. Coleman Harris ferson Medical College citing the 1966-67 importance of investigation ex- (24) Lowell L. Henderson 1967-68 New Orleans (1967) pressed this sentiment: (25) Howard G. Rapaport 1968-69 Denver (1968) (26) John P. McGovern 1969-70 Washington, D.C. (1969) "And let me beg of you all to have (27) Paul F. deGara 1970-71 Miami Beach (1970) always on hand something that (28) G. Frederick Hieber 1971-72 San Francisco (1971) you are investigating. This gives (29) Ralp h Hale 1972-73 Dallas (1972) freshness and interest to your life, (30) Lamar B. Peacock 1973-74 Atlanta (1973) keeps the intellect active, benefits (31) William Sawyer Eisenstadt Paris (1974) those who apply to you for advice, was most impressed with the inde- and enriches your profession. fatiguability and the excellent work Thus discoveries are made; thus he did as chair of this committee. chiefly, is medicine daily extend- Perhaps one of his greatest achieve- ing its usefulness and power. The ments is the textbook in allergy fountain of perpetual youth in the which he co-authored with Urbach mind of the searcher, it becomes during the 1940s which is still prob- a lasting blessing to many others. ably the best textbook ever written Nor must you delay to become in allergy. investigators. Begin with the first Another of our great leaders is Dr. opportunity. Begin tomor- Mayer A. Green, our 20th President row;. . . " (1962-63), who led the organization I would like to make one sug- with distinction always bringing a gested change to this quote to read wisdom and a gentility to the office. "Begin today," which is consistent Later as Chair of the section of the with the theme of this year's Con- Council on Allergy of the AMA, he gress, Carpe Diem! was most helpful in shepherding the The period of the 1960s repre- final resolution and establishment sented a critical period for the Col- of the ABAI in 1972. lege and for the field of allergy. As The continuity of leadership dur- described previously, 1967 marked Figure 8. Giles A. Koelsche, MD, Presi- ing the Middle Years included the the year of discovery of IgE by the dent 1960-1961. (From Ann Allergy leadership contributions of Dr. Ishizakas and Johansson which pro- 1961;19:180). Morris Kaplan (1963-1964) and vided a major impetus for new dis- Dr. Boen Swinny, Sr. (1964-1965) coveries and applications to diag- the self-assessment program, which as well as Dr. M. Coleman Harris nosis and treatment. The second was supported by each of five of the our 23rd President (1965-1966) and event important to certification oc- sponsoring organizations including Editor of the Annals of Allergy curring during this period was the four professional organizations (1965-1982) (Table 5). that a group of allergists dissatisfied and the ABAI. This highly innova- Dr. Lowell Henderson of the with their inability to gain access for tive program given in 1977 and Mayo Clinic, our 24th President certification since they lacked 1980 consisted of questions, refer- (1966-67), who chose as his title of primary certification by the ABIM ences and critiques, the forerunner his Presidential Address "Begin To- and ABP was led by Stanley Jaros. of present day self-assessment pro- morrow" offered a prescription for In 1964 this group established a grams. The College was well repre- prevention of "running out of steam separate organization, the sented in this endeavor and I was for those reaching mid-career."' American Associa- privileged to serve on the drafting His message was that practicing al- lergists need to be scientists and committee with Dr. Gottlieb and need to use the clinic, the office, the

tion of Clinical Immunology and medicine or in pediatrics. The model for many of us in the field of Allergy (AACIA) whose expressed Section requests its Chairman to allergy and immunology. He is a purpose was to establish a separate take suitable steps to seek the con- true friend and colleague and has autonomous certifying Board. Later currence of the national Allergy that year the Association Societies in presenting a petition done so much for so many, and his established a self-proclaimed for the establishment of such a services to the College will always American Board of Clinical Board to the Advisory Board for be remembered. Among his many Immunology and Allergy which was Medical Specialties." contributions to American prepared to certify as diplomates Howard G. Rapaport, our 25th medicine