History of Latin American Dermatology

LUIS VALDIVIA BLONDETFigure 18. Logotypeof the PeruvianSociety ofDermatologyFigure 19.Certificate ofRecognition asMain ScientificSocietyin January 1970, the first Board of Directors took office. This institution pursues scientific,ethical and deontological (non corporate) goals at the national level, and is supportedby the national scientific societies in carrying out these roles. After fulfilling allthe rules and requirements for its inclusion on the Record of Medical-Scientific Institutions,the Society was recognized as such by Resolution CMP-CN-146 of the NationalCouncil, on December 28, 1973.With the passage of time, new specialized subfields come up, which bring togetherdoctors dedicated to the study of a segment of their basic specialized field. As a resultof this, and with a mistaken craving of fame, new societies proliferate, competing withthe mother societies and causing disorder, which makes the supervision of their activitiesby the Association difficult. This is why the Medical Association appointed acommittee for the study and regulation of scientific societies; the PSD was listed as theMain Scientific Society in the National Registry of Medical-Scientific Institutions onpage No. 005 of the Registry of Main Medical Associations by Resolution No. 1680 ofthe National Council, dated May 12, 1999 (Figure 19). Its relation to the PeruvianMedical Association has always been loyal and merited a Certificate of Honor on October5, 1988.On August 18, 1972, the South Peruvian Association of Dermatology was foundedin the city of Arequipa, recognized as a branch of the Society on December 29, 1972;it subsequently became inactive up to 1995, when, in coordination with the dermatologistsof the southern region (Arequipa, Cuzco and Tacna), the Southern Branch of the PeruvianSociety of Dermatology was set up based in Arequipa, its first president being Dr.Víctor Delgado Fernández.The initiative to set up the Northern Branch, which came up in 1979, was carried outon August 15, 1987; its first president was Dr. Luis Tincopa Montoya.Fortunately, the members of the Society who practice in specialized subfields, puttingaside personal interests, and understanding that any division weakens the representationof their main society, and therefore their strength, set up several chapters. The firstwas the Pediatric Dermatology Chapter (1995), with Dr. Héctor Cáceres Ríos as thefirst president; at present, that office is held by Dr. Rosalía Bayona Chambergo. TheDermatological Surgery Chapter was set up on March 8, 1996, its first president beingDr. Luis Valdivia Blondet, and the current one, Dr. Lizandro Obregón Sevillano; it isthe merit of this chapter to have designed and carried out skin cancer prevention, diagnosisand treatment campaigns, in socially and economically disadvantaged areas,for the first time in the country. Its enthusiasm awakened the interest of the Chair ofDermatology of the National Higher University of St. Mark to include a DermatologicalSurgery Course in the graduate training program.On August 28, 2002, the Photobiology Chapter was founded; its first president wasDr. Luis Valdivia Blondet, and the current one is Dr. Gustavo Beltrán Grados. Of morerecent creation are the Teaching Chapter, headed by Dr. Manuel Palomino Yamamoto;the Cutaneous Histopathology Chapter, headed by Dr. Gadwyn Sánchez Félix, and theGeriatric Dermatology Chapter, headed by Dr. Arturo Saettone León.As far as publications are concerned, the Society issues the Revista DermatologíaPeruana, the historical precedent for which was the Revista de la Sociedad Peruana deDermatología; its first issue came out in June 1967, under the presidency of Dr. JuanManrique Ávila, the editor being Ms. Beatriz de Marcenaro, and it ceased to be publishedin 1972. The Dermatología Peruana journal began its publication in 1996 with VolumeNo. 6 (Figure 20) — continuing the numbering of the Revista de la Sociedad Peruana deDermatología — during the presidency of Dr. Luis Valdivia Blondet, who was the editorof that publication up to 2001, when he was succeeded by Dr. Arturo Saettone León.The Bulletin of the Peruvian Society of Dermatology, which is basically work-relatedand social in character, is periodically published. The following books have also been366