History of Latin American Dermatology

Historical sketch of Chilean Dermatologybigger headquarters, on Luis Pasteur street, municipality of Vitacura, in use since then.6. Number of members. After a process lasting several months, in May 1987 the SCDVboard completed the first official registry of full members, who added up to 127; in October2004 the full members number 222, who are rated in accordance with compliancewith the entry requirements in the bylaws. These figures need to be compared with themembership of 30 presumably existing in 1970. The notable increase over 34 yearsdemonstrates the efficiency of the plans for the training of new specialists, the renewedinterest in the specialized field and the joint effort of Chilean dermatologists in directteaching activities.7. Branches. Chile’s length gives rise to a relative geographical isolation of many citiesat a distance from Santiago, generating a need for branches that will bring SCDV memberstogether for reasons of closeness. Under the aegis of the SCDV, in the mid-1980s theSouth and North branches were born, fostered by Patricio Patricio Rifo (Temuco) andAlex Arroyo (Antofagasta) respectively. The first regulations on branches, later modified,was adopted in 1988. At the present time, the following branches are in operation: North(headquarters in Antofagasta), Fifth Region (headquarters in Valparaíso/Viña), Bío-Bío(headquarters in Concepción) and South (headquarters in Temuco). These branches haveorganized numerous intraregional scientific meetings – sometimes with guests from Santiago– and several Annual National Sessions.8. Permanent committees. In 1986, under the presidency of Rubén Guarda, the permanentworking committees were launched to advise the board on bylaw, administrativeand internal and external relations matters, which at the same time made it possible toexpand the representativeness of the decisions taken. These committees meet autonomouslyor at the request of the board, their members last two years, their roles aresubject to rules and their resolutions require the final approval of the board. The committeesin operation since 1986 are: (1) Bylaws, Rules and Acceptance of Members, (2)Ethics, Discipline and Professional Relations, (3) Fees and Services, (4) Scientific and OngoingEducation, (5) International Relations, and (6) Editorial Committee of the RevistaChilena de Dermatología. Afterwards, the committees on (7) Library and Computer Systemsand (8) Welfare were added.9. Working groups. Although some working groups previously operated in a sporadicmanner (for example, Occupational Dermatosis and Contact Dermatosis), in 1990, underthe presidency of Juan Honeyman, the SCDV institutionalized and promoted the settingup these groups, conceived as clusters of members with affinities in certain scientificsubjects for the purpose of exchanging experiences and generating SCDV papers or positions,through periodic working meetings. Thus far, the groups with the most regularactivity have been those on Pediatric Dermatology, Dermatological Surgery, Acne/Roseolaand Laser. Other groups have been those on STDs, Cosmiatrics, Cutaneous Oncology,Psoriasis and Internal Medicine.10. Ongoing education sessions. With the aim of reviewing and updating knowledgeon specific subjects in afternoon hours, from 1986 to 1989 the SCDV carried out severalongoing education sessions for its members. These have been restarted as of 2002.11. Chilean Congresses of Dermatology and Venereology every 2 years.12. Annual Sessions and Spring Sessions.13. Revista Chilena de Dermatología.14. Library and computer systems. In 1989 a library began to be assembled with the maininternational journals on Dermatology and some books for use by members. It has operatedat the SCDV venues. In 2001 the SCDV’s web page was launched, .15. Scholarships for further studies. In 2002, upon a proposal by its president RaúlCabrera, the SCDV agreed to create scholarships for members, of brief duration (a minimumof five weeks), at foreign centers, on specific subjects suitable for application inChile, for a fixed amount of 3,000 dollars, financed by large pharmaceutical firms and181