History of Latin American Dermatology

E. SILVA-LIZAMA, P. H. URQUIZU, P. GREENBERG, S. DE LEÓNAssociation of Dermatology), the purpose of which is to unify standpoints and establishpositions vis-à-vis situations that may affect the interests of Guatemalan Dermatology.The goals of this Committee are: a) to work for the progress and significance of the specializedfield; b) to coordinate scientific activities; c) to safeguard the defense of the trade;d) to promote the spirit of unity and solidarity among the members; e) to respect and defendthe bylaws and individuality; f) to monitor compliance with the guidelines governingprofessional ethics.The first governing board (1994-1997) was formed by: Eduardo Silva-Lizama (president),Leonel Linares (secretary-treasurer), Juan José Mansilla (president of theGuatemalan Academy of Dermatology), Carlos Villanueva Ochoa (president of theGuatemalan Association of Dermatology), Anabella de Chang and Manuel AntonioSamayoa (members). During the 1997-1999 period the governing board was formed by:Juan José Mansilla (president), Carlos Villanueva Ochoa (secretary-treasurer), EdgarPérez, Salvador Porres, Anabella de Chang and Manuel Antonio Samayoa (members).The Committee carries out manifold activities, among them the organization of aCongress every two years; the first was held in the month of July 1997 in Guatemala City,under the name of “Dermatology 97” 27 .On October 2, 2004, at the initiative of Dr. Pablo Urquizu, an activity called “DetectingSkin Cancer” was held in Guatemala City, seeing a total of 2,800 cases in variouspoints across the capital city. Participating in the activity were governmental entities –such as Guatemala City Hall – and private organizations, and collaboration was providedby Drs. Jorge Palmieri, Carlos David, Romeo Moraga, Álvaro Castellanos, Eduardo Silva-Lizama, María del Socorro Obregón, Telma Meda, Concha Marina de Méndez, Vilma García,Beatriz de Silva, Patricia Chang, Miguel Eduardo Robles Soto, Carol Durán, AzucenaHernández, Gerardo Bran, Antonio Wong, Marco Vinicio Solórzano, Neftalí Villanueva,Arturo García Valdez, Sergio Cobar, Edith Tobías and Carlos Villanueva.■ The teaching of Dermatology of DermatologyMedical training is divided into two parts: the basic Dermatology course and Dermatologytraining.The former is aimed at students of the Medical Schools of the University of St. Charlesof Guatemala and of the Francisco Marroquín and Mariano Gálvez private universities.The hospitals with teaching activities are the St. John of God General Hospital, the RooseveltHospital, the Military Medical Center, Guatemalan Social Security Institute, and theInstitute for Dermatology and Skin Surgery (INDERMA).Training in Dermatology is carried out at the Institute for Dermatology and SkinSurgery (INDERMA); the specialization course lasts 3 years and includes academicpreparation for the dermatologist in sexually-transmitted diseases, histopathology, immunology,mycology, surgery, phlebology, pediatrics, diagnostic tests and therapeutics.Drs. Patricia Chang and María del Socorro Obregón carry out teaching activities onthe Monday of each week at the General Hospital of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute;dermatological subjects are discussed with special emphasis on histopathology, incollaboration with the pathology laboratory. That activity was launched by RolandoVásquez (a dermatologist) and Víctor Fernández (a pathologist) in the year 1981.At the Military Medical Center, the Dermatology Center and the Internal Medicine Departmentjointly carry out an academic activity once a month called “DermatologicalClinic,” which establishes an annual program that includes subjects related to skinanatomy and physiology, venereology, cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases, infectiousDermatology (virosis, bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi), oncology, reactive dermatosesand bullous dermatoses. The subjects are taught by the internal medicine240