1964 – 2004: THE CV OF THE ESP UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.
On January 26, 1963 Prof. A. Giordano, promoter of the idea, wrote to Prof. P. Dustin suggesting the creation of a European Society of Pathologists. Nine “Founding Fathers” (*) discussed enthusiastically several proposals and the tentative statutes were approved at a meeting in Salzburg on November 7, 1964, remembered as the European Day of Pathology. A Society showing great promise was born and constituted henceforth an open forum for all pathologists in Europe and elsewhere, allowing closer professional contact and also personal friendship not only in view of their profession but also for reasons of closer contact, personal knowledge and friendship.
Did this Society redeem its promise and did the expectations come to fruition? The affirmative answer is given by the quantity and quality of the performances of an intensively living, stimulating and still growing scientific Society:
How has the Society fulfilled the ideas of Prof. Giordano and his colleagues?
- Since the European Day of Pathology, 19 biennial congresses with high level scientific programmes and a steady increasing number of participants from all over the world have been organized in 16 different European countries The 20th and 21st congresses are planned for 2005 and 2007 in Paris and Istanbul, respectively.
- Intercongress meetings (Baveno 2002, Ioannina 20076) and intercontinental congresses (Madeira 2000, Iguassu Falls 2004) organized in close association with other international Societies of Pathology appear on the affairs programme.
- The honour roll lists There have been 17 presidents, 21 honorary members and 1200 members from 63 different countries.
- The officers and members of the executive committee handle and watch closely the ins and outs of the Society during their regular meetings.
- The Advisory Council is represented by 28 members performing a liaison function between ESP and the National Societies of Pathology and taking takes part in the planning of the scientific programme of the congresses.
- Eleven working groups bring together experimentally and/or clinically oriented pathologists in special fields of our discipline, and this has led to publication of several multi-centre studies. By the same token these groups are involved in the scientific programmes of the meetings.
- Since the foundation in 1989, EuroCellPath courses are designed yearly to provide and standardize information and practical knowledge concerning modern general cellular and molecular pathology.
- The European School of Pathology (EscoP), established in Turin in 1991, organizes annual courses run by international experts for residents and young, dedicated pathologists from all over Europe. Courses are organized in Eastern Europe as well as in Turin.
- The constitutional statutes have been adapted and regulated according to the present rules of Belgian law concerning international non profit societies and foundations. The bylaws remain constantly for discussion under development.
- A handbook of the Society members (listing their names and contact addresses), the so-called Blue Booklet, has been published and updated on the occasion of the congresses.
- The link with official journals of pathology was established at first with Pathologica Europea, followed by Pathology: Research and Practice. As of January 1999 Virchows Archiv has become the official Journal of the ESP and with mandatory subscription for each member receives the journal in either paper or electronic form.
- Since 1980 the publication of the newsletter European Pathology / Europath News bridges the communication gap between the executive organs of the Society and its members.
- Closer collaboration with the European Board of Pathology of the UEMS has been established through information exchange and participation in each other’s meetings.
- The possibilities for closer association with other international societies has been explored, in particular with the IAP.
According to this impressive list of great merits, the European Society of Pathology should be congratulated heartily on the occasion of this 40 YEARS JUBILEE. Many of our colleagues-pathologists can be proud of their membership.
We sincerely express our warmest wishes for more successful years to come!
U. van Haelst
Past-Treasurer ESP.
Nijmegen, March 2004.
(*) Dustin(Belgium), Krauspe (Germany), Scarff (U.K.), Schornagel (Netherlands), Betz (Belgium), Maisin (Belgium), Giordano (Italy), Orcel (France), Mellgren (Sweden).
References
Cardesa A.: Presidential welcome address. Virch. Arch. 444; 106-107; 2004.
Llombart-Bosch A.: 25 Years of the European Society of Pathology. Path. Res. Pract. 184; 361-364; 1989.
Seifert G.: Newsletter European Pathology; 1984/1.
Sobrinho-Simoes M.: The role of the EScoP and EuroCellPath in international training. EuroPathNews 1/2003; Virch Arch. 442; 192-193; 2003.
van Haelst U. & C.: Members Handbook; Fourth edition; 2003.
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