The History of the Southwestern Surgical Congress: 1949–1998 Introduction

• Published in: The American journal of surgery 1998-03, Vol.175 (3), p.2S-9S
• Main Authors: Organ, Claude H, Kosiba, Margaret
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airports; Ancillary services; Anesthesia; Antibiotics; Blood transfusion; Congresses as Topic - history; General Surgery - history; History of medicine; History, 20th Century; Orthopedics; Periodicals as Topic - history; Societies, Medical - history; Society; Southwestern United States; Steroid hormones; Surgeons
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9610(98)00061-0

Careful review of the history of the Congress and its growth can be attributed to 4 important factors, which will be included in this narration: (1) the scientific program has consistently improved in quality and changes have been made as newer concepts and technologies have been discovered; (2) the collegiality of the membership is outstanding and a positive aspect of the organization, and a reason why many surgeons desire membership; (3) this has been an amicable forum for both town and gown, since neither has dominated this organization; and (4) the social and recreational events have been a significant attraction for the membership. On the last day of the meeting, I was waiting in the lobby of the Hollywood Beach Hotel for the airport taxi when I ran into Drs. Beasley and Sanders. There were many other important conferences I have not emphasized, such as (1) the meeting of you, Drs. Overton, Blocker, and Beasley at The Southeastern Surgical meeting in Biloxi in May, 1949; (2) of Dr. and Mrs. Rountree, Mrs. Stuck and I at the American Orthopedic Association meeting in Colorado Springs at the same time; (3) there were many coincidences such as the fact Drs. Rountree and Sanders knew each other in Memphis years ago; and (4) you, Drs. Overton, Sanders and I were Mayo alumni; our meeting on the train to the Southern Surgical meeting, all helped to put this society together. [...]of research conducted during the war, many ancillary services became available to the surgeon, including intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, antibiotics, steroids, and other life-saving drugs.