PEDIATRICS Vol. 54 No. 6 December 1974, pp. 673-676
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gillespie, J. B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Gillespie, J. B.

Presidential Address—1974

James B. Gillespie M.D.

The history of the American Academy of Pediatrics is a chronicle of practical idealism. I will not attempt to recount recent and past achievements of our society, for most have been well documented. It is beyond my capacity to identify the changes in Academy role and structure which may occur in our rapidly changing and complex social and medical environment. However, I do wish to reflect briefly on certain recent programs and actions which point up the expanding role and broader scope of interests of the Academy. These actions and interests, hallmarks of maturity and enhanced concepts of responsibility and accountability, are significant of our times.

Wisdom has been gained as we have stood upon the shoulders of our predecessors. Today's Academy cannot be separated from the past. We are deeply indebted to the perceptive, astute leadership of other days and to a dedicated membership which, for 44 years, has closely adhered to our stated goals. We continue to value their counsel. The contributions of those who preceded us are the principal reason why we are where we are today.

There is justifiable optimism for the assumption that the Academy will continue its leadership role as the major advocate for improved child health in the Americas. I sincerely believe that success will come to a society whose principal objective is placing concern for others higher on the scale of values of more and more people. We are reassured by a membership and leadership dedicated to service above self. In the words of Robert Frost: "There cannot be much to fear in a country where so many right faces are going by.