This message gives me the opportunity
to thank and congratulate Ulf on behalf of all the Academicians for the progress the
Academy has made under his stewardship. The Academy received the 36th
Edward Warner Award, we have had the largest number of participants to a
Congress, the Committees are functioning superbly while accepting new
challenges, the finances continue to grow as does our membership, the Web site
is receiving many contacts and the aims of the Academy are being addressed.
Our Secretary –General has played his vital part in all the activities and
our heart felt thanks go to George for all he has done and continues to do for
our Academy .
Those of you fortunate enough to
attend the Congress in Madrid can vouch for the splendid Congress it was and
Francisco Rios Tejada and his committee are to be congratulated. The
Scientific Programme under the direction of Carlos Velasco Diaz was excellent.
Mindful of and grateful for the trust
my fellow Academicians have shown by my election I am humbled by perusal of
the names of the towering figures in Aerospace Medicine who have preceded me.
Rarely would a president have the good fortune to have such examples to
follow.
The laudable aims of the Academy
continue to attract members and provide the guide for the way ahead. I urge
all Academicians to give some thought to our aims and how they may best be
prosecuted. Considering the depth of experience and expertise that the Academy
in its wisdom has chosen for its membership there should be a continuous flow
of ideas to a receptive Executive Council. The receptivity I can guarantee and
the Council members and their contacts are listed in the Membership Directory.
I look forward to your response.
Communication is the key and today we
have the advantage of our web-site and email. Please ensure that your email
address with George is current and check our web-site.
All the very best wishes for you and
yours for 2004.
Eric Donaldson
NOTES
FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL
“Why does one want to walk on wings? Why force one’s body from a plane just to make a parachute jump? Why should man want to fly at all? People often ask these questions. But what civilization was not founded on adventure, and how long could one exist without it? Some answer the attainment of knowledge. Some say wealth, or power, is sufficient cause. I believe the risks I take are justified by the sheer love of life I lead.”
--Charles A. Lindbergh--
Over recent years, the Academy has taken some brave steps to change the status quo and improvements
have
resulted. In the area of the Scientific Program of the Congresses, some
difficult steps were taken under the capable leadership of Dr. John Ernsting,
who worked tirelessly as the first Chairman of the Scientific Committee.
Changes and improvements had to be implemented if the Academy’s Congresses
were to remain scientifically relevant with leading scientific conferences of
the day. Yet, the parameters could not be set so high that certain countries
would be discouraged from applying to hold an international Congress. Dr.
Ernsting and his Scientific Committee courageously, yet diplomatically began
to change and standardise parameters for Scientific Programs by rewriting the
“Instructions for Organizers to Hold a Congress”. After much work and
deliberation by the Committee, a first edition of the new “Instructions”
was born. It became obvious that improvements in the Scientific Programs of
Congresses were beginning to take shape.
Then
after initial implementation of the “Instructions” and gaining some
experience with Congresses, under
the guidance of Dr. Yehezkel Caine, the successor to Dr. Ernsting, more
improvements were made by the Scientific Committee by rewriting the
“Instructions”. The resulting document was completed in January, 2004,
with approval by the Executive Council, and distribution to future organizers.
This will ensure consistent and a more uniform level of standard for future
Scientific Programs at Congresses.
More recently, the Academy has become affiliated with two outside organizations so that Academy members can participate by sharing their expertise through teaching programs in aerospace medicine internationally. The Academy has agreed to participate in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Aviation Academy and the Aviation Medicine distant learning program at Griffith
University
in Australia. In addition, the
Academy has embarked on an agreement with the Aerospace Medical Association to
publish working papers on topics of timely interest.
Congratulations
to the “movers” in the Academy who have chosen to try new ventures in the
hopes of improving the sphere in which we share mutual goals.
On a more personal note, I wish to thank the many members who kindly sent me their good wishes during my recent illness. I am not completely recovered, but improving slowly.
To
all Academicians, I wish you a rewarding and prosperous 2004.
George
Y. Takahashi, MD
Secretary-General
WARM
MEMORIES OF MADRID
51st ICASM, October 5-9, 2003
I
arrived in Madrid Airport a couple of days before the Congress and got off to
a bad start by looking for my bags in the wrong arrival hall, not realizing
that there were two halls and that I had followed the wrong signs.
After a bit of mild panic, I found my bags, met up with Dr. Rios Tejada,
President of the Organizing Committee and from then on everything went
extremely pleasantly and efficiently.
Madrid
is a delightful city with magnificent parks, buildings, statuary, museums and
art galleries, not to mention a very obliging climate, so, outside the
official programme, there was plenty of interest for everyone.
The
venue for the Congress was the Headquarters of the Medical Association of
Madrid where the lecture hall was a magnificent circular domed structure with
portraits of medical dignitaries gazing down on the proceedings from their
lofty perches.
The
opening ceremony was preceded by classical Spanish music played by the Town
Hall Municipal Police Band. Some
of the items were from “Larzuela”, a type of Spanish operetta, and
followed by the Allard Memorial Lecture presented by Professor Juan Perez-Mercader,
Director of the National Astrobiological Centre, whose topic was
“Astrobiology: the search for life in the Universe”.
Not only was the lecture full of interest, but I have seldom seen a
lecturer who enjoyed his own presentation as much as his audience did.
He was fun.
Monday’s
Scientific Sessions covered the topics of space medicine, human factors,
kerato-refractive surgery, colour vision and aviation psychiatry.
That evening, the “Welcome Reception”, hosted by the Air Force
Chief of Staff, was held in the Spanish Air Force Headquarters.
This building was a real surprise as unlike most military
establishments, it was a beautiful marble structure, and was a magnificent
venue.
Tuesday’s
programme included papers on Travel Medicine, Passenger Health, Aircrew
Health, The Ernsting Panel on Cardiology, and Air Sports Medicine.
The Academy Dinner for Academicians and partners was held in the Casino
de Madrid, again a glittering combination of marble, chandeliers, beautifully
curved staircases and ornate decoration.
Wednesday
was the final day for scientific papers with presentations covering medical
policy, medical assessment problems, aerospace physiology, clinical aviation
medicine, medical air evacuation and aircraft accident investigation.
Throughout
the Congress a full range of posters were displayed with delegates engaging in
lively discussion with the authors, and an excellent range of technical
exhibits were on display. A grand
Gala Dinner was held in the Hotel Villamagna and was a fitting culmination to
the 51st Congress.
Technical
visits were held on Thursday. Three
options were offered: Iberia LAE Maintenance and Simulator facilities;
CASA-EADS Aircraft Factory and CLAEX Test Squadron at the Torrejon AFB.
My
lasting impression of the Congress is of an excellent programme hosted by a
dedicated committee in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
It will be a hard act to follow.
Kindly submitted by Dr. Len Thompson, Deputy Secretary General
In the Academy, we are constantly surrounded by
greatness. Many of our members are true pioneers in aviation and space
medicine-- men and women who have bravely led us into unknown spheres, and now, thanks to their efforts, we are
able to take for granted the knowledge that we have today. We in the Academy
are very privileged to know many of our heroes, not only as colleagues, but as
very good friends. Often, we are not aware
of the many accomplishments and contributions made by our fellow Academicians
who may be sitting next to us during a meeting. Therefore, as a small tribute
to our many great Academicians, the Newsletter will, from time to time,
“Spotlight” on deserving Members.
In this issue, the Spotlight has been focused on
the new Academicians who have been elected to the Academy at the last
Selectors Meeting in Madrid, October 5th, 2003.
Due
to the shortage of space and time, the Editor apologizes for the briefness of
the member summaries, as many highlights, awards, etc. have been omitted.
Members of the Academy are encouraged to welcome each new member personally at
the first opportunity.
A
very warm welcome to the following new members of the Academy.
1. Dr. Daniel
A. BLACK, Australia
Sponsors:
Dr. Ronald Wambeek, Australia
Dr. Eric Donaldson, Australia
Current Activities:
-Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety
Authority
-lecturer at the Institute of Aviation Medicine, RAAF Edinburgh
-member of the teaching faculty in Aerospace Medicine, Griffith
University
-member, Joint Australasian Defense Force Consultative Committee of
Ophthalmology
Professional Memberships:
-Aerospace Medical Association
-Australian & New Zealand Society of Aviation Medicine
-American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
-Australian Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
2. Dr. Gordon G. CABLE, Australia
Sponsors:
Dr. Ronald Wambeek, Australia
Dr. Eric Donaldson, Australia
Current
Activities:
-full time Medical Officer, RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine,
teaching, research and
clinical aviation medicine
-Consultant in Aviation Medicine, University of South Australia,
Faculty of Nursing
-Director, Aerospace Medical Services Pty
Ltd.
-providing ongoing refresher training courses for Designated Aviation
Medical
Examiners
on behalf of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
-lecturer
in Aviation Medicine, Griffith University
-private pilot license
-CASA Designated Medical Examiner
Professional
Memberships:
-Member, Aviation Medical Society of Australia & New Zealand
-Associate Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
-Member, Royal Aeronautical Society
-Member, International Society of Aeromedical Services
-Member, Australian Military Medicine Association
3. Dr. Christopher KLEINSMITH, USA
Sponsors:
Dr. Ulf Balldin, USA
Dr. Romie Richardson, USA
Current
Activities:
-Director, International Medical Training, United States Air Force
School of
Aerospace
Medicine
(USAFSAM)
Professional
Qualifications and Memberships:
-MPH, University of Utah
-Member, American, and Texas Osteopathic Association
-Member, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians
-Member, Society of USAF Flight Surgeons
-Associate Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
-Board Certified, in Occupational Medicine
-Designated Aviation Medical Examiner, FAA
4. Dr. Paulo Magalhães ALVES, Brazil
Sponsors:
Dr. Larry Marinelli, USA
Dr. Eric Donaldson, Australia
Current
Activities:
-Medical Director, Brazilian VARIG Airlines
-Cardiologist, Coronary Care Unit, University Hospital, Federal Univ.
of Rio de
Janeiro
-Cardiologist, Intermed. Care Unit, Laranjeiras Cardiology Hosp.,
Brazilian
Ministry of Health
-Member, IATA Medical Advisory Group
-President, Brazilian Society of Aerospace Medicine
-President, Airlines Medical Directors Association
-Designated Aviation Medical Examiner, Transport Canada
Professional
Memberships:
-Brazilian Society of Cardiology
-Brazilian Society of Aerospace Medicine
-Brazilian Society of Medical Informatics
-Mexican Society of Aerospace Medicine
-Ibero-American Aerospace Medical Association
-Aerospace Medical Association
-Airlines Medical Association
-International Airlines Medical Advisory Council (IAMAC)
5. Dr. Geoffrey W. McCARTHY, USA
Sponsors:
Dr. John P. McCann, USA
Dr. William Brath, USA
Career
Highlights and Current Activities:
-USAF Pilot-Physician, Flight Surgeon
-USAF & RAF, 4000+ hours as Fighter Pilot, Instructor Pilot,
Aeromedical
Researcher
-Laboratory & In-flight Aeromedical Scientist
-Director, Medicine and Surgery, US Veterans Affairs Upstate New York
Network
Professional Memberships, Appointments and Honors
-Dip.Av.Med., UK
-Patient Safety Leadership Fellow, National Patient Safety Foundation
-Fellow, American Medical Association
-Fellow, American Academy of Family Practice
-Elected Member, Royal Aeronautical Society
-Member, Editorial Board, Society for Human Performance in Extreme
Environments
-Past President, International Association of Military Flight Surgeon
Pilots,
ASMA
-Member, Aerospace Human Factors Association
-Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 Air Medals
6. Dr. Glenn W. MITCHELL, USA
Sponsors:
Dr. Ulf Balldin, USA
Dr. Claude Thibeault, Canada
Current position:
-Commander, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas
Professional Qualifications, Affiliations, Positions:
-MPH, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda,
Maryland
-Diplomate, American Board of Emergency Medicine
-Diplomate, American Board of Preventive Medicine (Aerospace)
-Fellow, American College of Emergency Surgeons
-Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
-Past President, Aerospace Medical Association
-Past President, US Army Aviation Medicine Association
-Past President, Society of US Army Flight Surgeons
-Past President, Gov’t. Services Chapter, American College of
Emergency
Physicians
-Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
-Army Aviation Association of America
7. Dr. Susan NORTHRUP, USA
Sponsors:
Dr. David Millett, USA
Dr. Claude Thibeault, Canada
Current
Position:
-Regional Medical Director, Air Crew Health Services, Delta Air Lines,
Atlanta, Georgia
USAF Career: (1990-2001)
-Active Duty, Flight Surgeon, Operation Desert/Storm
-TAC Flight Surgeon of the Year 1991
-US Head of Delegation, Aeromedical Working Group, NATO
Professional Qualifications, Affiliations, Positions:
-MPH, University of Texas
-Diplomate, American Board of Preventive Medicine, Aerospace Medicine
-Diplomate, American Board of Preventive Medicine, Occupational
Medicine
-Chair, Associate Fellows Group, ASMA, 2003-4
-Exam Committee, American Board of Preventive Medicine, 2003-6
Specialists
-Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association
-Private Pilot License, Owner of warbird (Harvard N99CV)
8. Dr. Brig.-Gen. Erich ROEDIG,
Germany
Sponsors:
Dr. Hans Pongratz, Germany
Dr. Douglas Ivan, USA
Current
Position:
-Head of Federal Armed Forces Aerospace Medicine
-Flight Service Division, German Air Force Office
-Surgeon General, German Air Force
Professional Qualifications, Affiliations, Positions
-Specialist in Internal Medicine
-Specialist in Aviation Medicine
-Certification for Internal Radiology
-Specialist in Occupational Medicine
-Specialist in First Aid Medicine
-Specialist in Environmental Medicine
-Member, German Society of Internal Medicine
-Officer, German Society of Aviation and Space Medicine
-Member, Aerospace Medical Panel, AGARD/NATO 1991-97
9. Dr. Bhupinder SINGH, Australia
Sponsors:
Dr. Eric Donaldson, Australia
Dr. Jarnail Singh, Singapore
Current Position:
-Senior Research Officer, Institute of Aviation Medicine,
RAAF Base, Edinburgh, Australia
Professional Qualifications, Affiliations and Positions
-Post-graduate
Doctorate (M.D.) In Aerospace Medicine, Bangalore, India
-Designated Aviation Medical Examiner, Civil Aviation Safety Authority,
Australia
-Designated Aviation Medical Examiner, Civil Aviation Sultanate of Oman
-Fellow, Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine
-Member, Aeronautical Society of India
-Member, Aviation Medical Society of Australia & New Zealand
10. Dr. Quay C. SNYDER, Jr.,
USA
Dr. William Brath, USA
Current Position and Activities:
-President, Virtual Flight Surgeons, Inc.
-Aeromedical Advisor, Aviation Medicine Advisory Service
-FAA Certified Instructor Pilot, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner,
Black Forest Soaring Society
Professional
Qualifications, Affiliations and Positions:
-Diplomate,
American Board of Preventive Medicine, Occupational Medicine
-Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners
-Master Flight Instructor, National Association of Flight Instructors
-USAF Senior Flight Surgeon
-US Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
-Military Parachutist Rating
11. Dr. Carlos E. STAFF-UREÑA, Panama
Sponsors:
Dr. Luis Amezcua, Mexico
Dr. Lorenzo M. Vargas-Alfaro, Peru
Current Positions and Activities:
-Chief, Dept. of Aviation Medicine and Human Factors, Panama Civil
Aviation
Authority
-Medical Advisor, COPA Airlines
-Orthopedic Surgeon, Panama Social Security Hospital
-Aviation Medical Examiner for CAA-Panama, FAA, and Transport Canada
Professional Affiliations:
-Aerospace Medical Association
-Ibero-American Association of Aerospace Medicine
-Asociacion Mexicana de Medicina de Aviacion y del Espacio
-Mexican Council of Aerospace Medicine
-Mexican Council of Orthopedic Surgery
-Latin
American Society of Orthopedic Surgery
-Airlines Medical Directors Association
12. Dr. David C. ZANICK, USA
Sponsors:
Dr. Larry Marinelli, USA
Dr. William Brath, USA
Current Positions and Activities:
-Medical Director, Northwest Airlines
-FAA designated Senior Aviation Medical Examiner
-President, Airlines Medical Directors Association
Professional Qualifications and Affiliations:
-MPH, University of Minnesota
-Diplomate, American Board
of Medical Examiners
-Diplomate, American Board of Preventive Medicine, Occupational
Medicine
-Fellow, American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
-Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
-Certified, American Association of Medical Review Officers
As
Academicians of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine,
please review the names of the new Applicants, listed below, currently in the
evaluation process by the Selectors Committee.
Any
Academician member of the Academy knowing of any reason why a certain
applicant should not be granted membership into the Academy is encouraged to
forward such information to the Chancellor, the Chair of the Selectors
Committee. The information must be in written format by e-mail or letter
format. The letter must be signed. Although the information will be maintained
on a confidential basis, it will be provided to the members of the Selectors
Committee for consideration.
Any
information regarding the following applicants listed below must be received
by the Chancellor, no later than
April
23 , 2004. fpettyjo@usouthal.edu
1.
Dr.
Zoran Lolic, Croatia
Sponsors:
Dr. Rudi Debijadhi, Serbia
Dr. Gabor Hardicsay, Hungary
2. Dr. John C.
Newlands, Australia
Sponsors:
Dr. Ronald Wambeek, Australia
Dr. Eric Donaldson,
Australia
3.
Dr.
Hernando Ortega, USA
Sponsors:
Dr. Charles A. Berry, USA
Dr. Michael A.
Berry, USA
4.
Dr.
David Powell, New Zealand
Sponsors:
Dr. Len Thompson, New Zealand
Dr. Eric Donaldson,
Australia
5.
Dr.
Tarek M. Sardana, Canada
Sponsors:
Dr. Gary Gray, Canada
Dr. Allen J. Parmet,
USA
6.
Dr. David Schroeder, PhD., USA
Sponsors: Dr. Melchor Antuñano, USA
One more to follow.