A BRIEF HISTORY OF
A BRIEF HISTORY OF
by
Earl Lawrence
The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion was formed in the spring of 1979, and is an educational organization consistent with Section 501(c)3 of the tax code of the Internal Revenue Service, and an Alabama Corporation. The purpose of The Academy is to encourage and stimulate investigation and study which serves to increase the knowledge of cardiovascular perfusion, and to correlate and disseminate that knowledge.
In the summer of 1979 Tom Wharton called to inform me that he was sending $2,000 to “start that perfusion education organization we have talked about for so long”. Thomas G. Wharton had been the Executive Director of AmSECT since the organization was given over to full time management from the outstanding volunteer work done by Ed and Audrey Berger. Tom had recently left that position and was working for William Harvey Research Corporation. Tom was a person that was truly dedicated to perfusion education and the perfusion profession. He understood the needs and desires of the perfusion community. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack that fall and never attended an Academy meeting.
“That organization” Tom spoke of was The Academy. Many individuals, not just Tom, had worked hard for many years to try to focus a professional organization toward the single goal of education. Most of those efforts failed because it is much easier to focus on political issues and “offering” something to individual perfusionists. An organization with continuing education as its only focus was the culmination of the efforts to create The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion. I am extremely proud to say that The Academy continues that focus to this day and leaves all of the perfusion politics to others.
Charlie Reed somewhat plagiarized the Constitution and By-Laws of the AATS and the Society of Anesthesia, with a few modifications, to develop a Constitution that would hold all members accountable to the single purpose of The Academy –
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of The Academy shall be to encourage and stimulate investigation and study which will increase the knowledge of cardiovascular perfusion, to correlate and disseminate such knowledge.
Section 2. To attain this purpose, The Academy shall hold at least one scientific meeting every year in which free discussion shall be featured; shall conduct a Journal for the publication of presentations presented at the meeting, and other acceptable articles; and shall undertake such other activities as the Council or The Academy as a whole may decide.
Over the past twenty years, The Academy’s audited expenses reflect that between 80% and 85% of all expenditures have been spent directly to support this purpose; the annual meeting and the publication of the presentations of that meeting. Examination of an organization’s expenditures is a reliable measure of that organization’s commitment. This commitment to purpose is the single most important guiding rule of The Academy, and all of its activities.
In less than six months in 1979: The Academy was incorporated; established its 24 Charter Members; appointed interim officers and Council; developed sponsorship; established a financial structure; secured a hotel and arrangements for a meeting; secured papers for presentations; developed panel discussions; and very successfully held its’ first meeting at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans in January, 1980. We also recorded all discussion during the meeting for later transcription and inclusion in The Proceedings. Joanie Vance, a part time secretary, transcribed all of the discussion word by word from the tapes – what an unbelievable effort. The only discussion not published by design was probably one of the very best panel discussions we have ever had – Perfusion Accidents. We swept the hotel for lawyers, locked the doors to the meeting room, and had a fabulously frank discussion about disasters. This set the tone for all future programs, and the ability to deal with any and all topics necessary.
Jeri L. Dobbs, the interim president, was elected president and immediately began planning the next meeting for January 1981 in San Francisco. That meeting was the establishment of the Fireside Chats – yet another new educational forum that was not allowed to be developed previously. It has become one of the real outstanding forums of the Annual Academy Meeting, and receives high praise from everyone that participates. Also in 1981, Jeri Dobbs found a court reporter that would attend the meeting and not only tape the discussion, but also transcribe anything we needed for inclusion in The Academy Proceedings. Richard Adams has become such an integral part of The Academy and its’ commitment to provide free discussion that is available in The Proceedings. Inclusion of discussion was yet another type of forum that was previously deemed impossible, but Dick Adams makes it seem easy for The Academy. The membership is so appreciative of his contributions that they made him an Honorary Member in 1987. Truly deserved.
The Academy has been innovative in its approach to perfusion education. This has resulted in the development of "Fireside Chats" as a very popular part of each of the annual meetings. The Academy has also dared to be controversial in its approach to perfusion education, hosting open discussions on Perfusion Manpower, Accidents and Safety, Legal and Ethical Issues in Perfusion, to name just a few.
In 1994 The Academy began using the Internet as a means of communication, information, and continuing perfusion education. The AACP Internet Services are a demonstration in innovation. Almost all services available by The Academy to the entire perfusion profession may be accessed from this site.
The development of The Academy PERFSearch© was the first of its kind, perfusion literature data base, developed and maintained by Thomas Ebersole. PERFSearch© is the worlds' largest and most comprehensive reference database of perfusion related articles available today. PERFSearch© : currently has over 11,500 citation reference articles - is continually updated - currently contains references from over eight hundred (800) journals in more than thirty-three (33) countries - contains over 1700 references dated before 1966 and has articles from 1667 to present - is a full featured, relational database that produces queried output from many search fields - is dedicated exclusively to perfusion - is a free service to ALL MEMBERS of The Academy.
The development of The Academy PERFClass© programs of education via the Internet in 1997, is the first use of this great new medium for class room presentation and study of perfusion. The programs are organized along the lines of college courses and are offered for four semesters each year.
The Academy Virtual Scientific Sessions© are also Internet based education seminars that allow participation of anyone, anywhere in the world to participate in paper presentation and discussion of the presentation.
In addition to the high quality of the papers presented at The Academy meetings, The Academy meetings have more presentations than other perfusion meetings. There were 42 papers presented by perfusionists at the 1985 meeting. The most ever present at a perfusion meeting. The Academy feels that perfusion education should be a true education experience, and perhaps this is why The Academy meetings have been so successful. In addition to attending all the events at the meeting, each person attending receives a copy of The Proceedings of that meeting. The Proceedings has become one of the most sought after references in perfusion, not only for the practicing perfusionists, but for the perfusion student as well.
The Academy is also very appreciative of the sponsors of all of its programs and meetings. Without this demonstration of commitment to perfusion education by these sponsors the registration fees and membership dues would probably rival those of other meetings that do not offer such programs to the perfusion community. We should acknowledge that these sponsors are truly interested in perfusion education, and demonstrate their concern by supporting the efforts of The Academy in the areas of meetings, scholarships, The Academy Proceedings, and the AACP Newsletter. They are partners in perfusion education in every sense of the word.
The Academy Journal, The Proceedings of The American Academy, is at least half of The Academy purpose and commitment. We were extremely fortunate to have Mark Kurusz as the editor of this journal during its formative years. Mark served as editor from 1981, Volume 2 through 1993, Volume 14. His contributions were irreplaceable. The Index of the first 14 issues was a monumental effort. Diane Clark and David Polanzo did a terrific job of taking up the torch and continuing the excellence. David is now the editor and is assisted by several important associate editors, and the new format, with publication of the full articles in Perfusion is an enormous challenge that he has conquered. The exposure of the discussion of the presentation is still one of the most valuable parts of the paper, and is one of the reasons discerning authors prefer presenting at The Academy meeting rather than other available forums.
The only duty of the president of The Academy is to serve as the chairman of the program committee. The president is responsible for the program each year, if they so choose. We have been privileged to have the individuals in the profession that are most committed to perfusion education as president of The Academy. The leading edge programs that they have been responsible for over the past twenty years has been a real contribution to the profession. They have always found the most important issues to explore and have developed many new ways of presenting them.
The Academy membership structure is also unique. In most organizations being an Active Member means that your dues are up-to-date. The ‘Academy Active Member’ must continually commit personal support, energy and effort to the purpose of The Academy. An Active Member must contribute to the program at least once every three years, must attend the meeting at least once every three years, and must pay their dues, or they must be removed from Active Membership. Over the past twenty years there have been as many members that had to be removed for professional delinquency, as there are current Active Members. Not everyone can keep these modest commitments to the profession. The only special thing that Active Members receive is the formal dinner each year, which they pay for in their registration fees. Not very much reward for all of their efforts to produce the best education program year after year for the past twenty years.
Organization control of The Academy lies totally with the Active Membership. The officers and Council must have approval from the membership for all activities that they propose. The majority of ideas, suggestions, innovation and positive development nearly always comes from the membership, Active and Associate. It is the membership that has control and this group commitment to purpose is beautiful to observe. At any point, if politics try to interfere, the members are quickly able to reset the course toward The Academy purpose.
Thomas Ebersole designed and developed the PERFSearch database of perfusion articles by himself and provides the service to everyone at no charge. Jeri Dobbs developed the PERFClass programs and offers them through The Academy. The development of the Internet Services was a voluntary commitment, as are the contributing editors of the AACP Newsletter, and The Proceedings. And, all of the speaking engagements and contributions to other organizations are voluntary contributions by members. The members of The Academy donate their contributions as part of their commitment to The Academy purpose. With The Academy all new ideas and suggestions regarding perfusion education are welcomed.
In 1986, it was apparent that many perfusionists wanted to be a part of The Academy and what it stands for, but are unable to comply with the requirements of Active Membership. There may be any number of reasons for not being able to commit to such an educational effort. Therefore, the Associate Member category was created. This is a category in which a perfusionist can contribute to perfusion education at their own choice of level of commitment. Associate Members receive discounted registration fees, business meeting participation, annual Perfusion subscription, and all of the other benefits as do Active Members. Associate Members can be involved with all aspects of the program and Academy acctivities, as they are able and willing to contribute. This is an excellent opportunity for someone to develop interest and commitment to perfusion education. The Associate Membership offers a unique and very much appreciated support of The Academy purpose.
In 1995 The Academy entered into a unique relationship with the only International Indexed Perfusion Journal – Perfusion. This relationship provides for the international publication of the papers presented at the annual meeting and an annual subscription for all members of The Academy. The Academy will continue to develop and pursue new ideas and ways of helping perfusionist obtain the best in perfusion continuing education at the lowest possible cost to the individual. The innovation for perfusion education demonstrated over the past twenty years is just the beginning.
Twenty years of serving the perfusion community, providing twenty-two international annual meetings, free Proceedings for all meeting attendees, free quarterly newsletters to all perfusionists - regardless of membership, free Internet Services, free Speakers Bureau to all accredited perfusion schools. There are so many individuals responsible for the success of The Academy that it is impossible to name them all here. It is quite a significant commitment and service legacy to the perfusion community, and each is owed a great debt of gratitude for their efforts.
Twenty years of providing leadership in continuing perfusion education for the entire perfusion community has also been a great privilege, as well as a great responsibility. It has also been a lot of fun for everyone involved. I don’t think that anyone that remains committed to the purpose of The Academy will disagree. Just being a part of such a strong commitment is an experience that not everyone will have the opportunity to realize in their professional lifetime.
In a humble effort to speak for the 24 founding charter members of The Academy, I think that the greatest satisfaction they receive for their efforts is knowing that the entire perfusion community acknowledges The Academy Meeting as the premire continuing perfusion education meeting each year. Their leadership and continuing effort made it happen. Even other organizations acknowledge this recognition. Twenty years of never wavering from The Academy commitment to purpose has resulted in this recognition.
Regardless of all of the outstanding contributions of the officers and all members, including Associates, in the past, it is the current membership that must be responsible for the future. The future of The Academy and its commitment is far more important than the past. There will be many, many new ideas and innovations that will come from perfusionists that are important to perfusionists. While those involved with the development and progress of The Academy for the first twenty years can rightfully be very proud, they will feel even more proud of those that will take up the challenge of the future.
If you have never attended an Annual Academy Meeting, and experienced an education program that is planned just for you and your professional development and commitments, then consider attending the next Annual AACP Meeting.
The past ends and future begins, now.
Copyright © 1996 - 2007
The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion
All rights reserved.