The Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its founding at the Society's meeting in Victoria, BC, Oct. 24 to 26, 2003. In this editorial, we chronicle the origins and the history of the Society and describe some of its accomplishments over the past 25 years.
Founding of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery
Following discussions with Dr. R.B. Salter, president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, in the spring of 1976, an open meeting was held during the Royal College annual meeting in Toronto, Jan. 28, 1977. A mailing list had been developed through Dave Stronach of Brent Surgical and over 100 general, thoracic and cardiac surgeons were invited to the open meeting. There was an excellent attendance and Wayne Johnston and Allan Downs received a mandate to proceed with the proposal for a Canadian vascular society. A nucleus committee was formed with representation from all provinces. The members were Wally Chung (British Columbia), George Bondar (Alberta), Danny McFadden (Saskatchewan), Allan Downs (Winnipeg), Wayne Johnston (Toronto), John Provan (Toronto), Walter Waddell (Ottawa), Fernand Laurendeau (Montréal), Doug Miller (New Brunswick), Hugh Simms (Nova Scotia), James Symes (Montréal) and Earl Wright (Newfoundland).
The founding meeting was held on Jan. 26, 1978, during the Royal College meeting in Vancouver. Unfortunately, Earl Wright of Newfoundland was unable to attend, but all other provinces were represented.
The bylaws, drafted by Wayne Johnston, were passed. The objectives were outlined and agreed upon. There was no mention of the certificate of competence at this founders' meeting. The objectives of the society were as follows:
· to provide a forum for Canadian surgeons treating patients with vascular disease
· to maintain and improve standards of care to patients with vascular disease
· to monitor standards of care for patients with vascular disease through a national vascular registry
· to establish educational standards for training programs in vascular disease
· to provide continuing education programs in vascular disease
· to promote research programs in vascular disease
· to represent the views of vascular surgeons of Canada
The Executive was appointed: Allan Downs, president; Wayne Johnston, secretary; John Provan, treasurer; Danny McFadden was appointed archivist. Walter Waddell was the program chair for our first scientific meeting with the Royal College in February 1979 in Montréal.
After the founding meeting, a membership application was sent to all general and cardiovascular and thoracic (CVT) surgeons with Royal College qualifications. By the time of the February 1979 meeting in Montréal, there were 124 paid members. The Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery had been born. Professor Charles Rob was the first invited guest lecturer.
Accomplishments of the Society
Twenty-five years ago a group of dedicated, forward-thinking academic and clinical surgeons saw the need for a society that would allow for the collegial association of surgeons interested in the investigation and treatment of patients with peripheral vascular diseases. They felt this was necessary to promote development of core groups that could gain clinical expertise in the management of this difficult group of patients, share and nurture basic and clinical research, and develop training programs for those who would go on to practise this rapidly developing and challenging area of medicine.
As a result of their efforts, the Society has become an internationally respected association providing a forum for cutting edge research and has promoted studies that are widely respected and quoted in the international literature.
The Society has allowed for cross-pollination of ideas and indeed migration of surgeons throughout Canada and has directly led to the development of Royal College examinations leading to a certification in special competence for peripheral vascular surgery. There are now 8 Royal College certified training programs in Canada spread out across the country training highly respected academic and clinical vascular surgeons. Vascular surgery continues to evolve and maintains its unique role as a specialty that encompasses not only the surgical management of atherosclerosis but also provides conservative therapy and nonoperative endovascular therapies in this very challenging group of patients.
The Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery continues to be the Canadian forum where these specialists can present their work, consult with their colleagues and remain abreast of the current and most up-to-date management of these patients.
The Society looks forward to an outstanding meeting in October in Victoria, BC, where internationally acclaimed vascular surgeon, Dr. Wesley Moore of the University of California at Los Angeles will be the honoured guest speaker.·
The Canadian Journal of Surgery is proud to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery and to have this Society as one of its sponsoring institutions. In this guest editorial, Dr. Allan Downs, one of the pioneers of vascular surgery in North America and the Society's first president has provided a description of the circumstances that led to the founding of the Society. Dr. Anthony Salvian, the current president, documents the accomplishments of the Society over the past quarter century.
Correspondence to: Dr. Anthony J. Salvian, 708–750 Broadway W, Vancouver BC V5Z 1H6; fax 604 874-7806; asalvian@interchange.ubc.ca