History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Argentine Dermatologyabundant scientific output is Orientación Dermatológica en Medicina Interna (DermatologicalOrientation in Internal Medicine), a reference and study text for undergraduateand newly graduate students (with Drs. A. Kaminsky, M. Marini and M. Allevato) andPrincipios de Inmunodermatología (Principles of Immunodermatology, with Drs. P.Troielli and M. Label), a full work within this genre in Spanish. He founded and, for adecade, edited Argentine Dermatology, the ASD’s official organ.The time of their retirement having arrived, the University of Buenos Aires appointedDrs. Viglioglia and Cordero Emeritus Professors and Drs. Alberto Woscoff y Ana KaminskyFull Consulting Professors.At the current time (2004) Dr. Cabrera continues as full professor. At the four chairs,the post of full professor is filled by rigorous competition, leading to the appointments ofMercedes Hassan at the Ramos Mejía Hospital, Edgardo Chouela at the Argerich andMario Marini at the British Hospital. All three exhibit outstanding backgrounds and theirzeal and intelligence allow the prediction that they will preserve and increase the prestigeof Argentine Dermatology.Argentine Association of Dermatology (AAD)This association gathers the majority of the members of the Buenos Aires hospital services,with an intense scientific and organizational activity, reflected in the Revista Argentinade Dermatología. It holds meetings that generate a large turnout from the provinces andabroad. It annually organizes the Argentine Congress of Dermatology at diverse provinces ofthe interior. During Magnin’s presidency it shifted from its traditional headquarters at theRamos Mejía Hospital to a venue of its own, with a library and conference room.Its presidents have been Drs. M. A. Mazzini (1950), G. Basombrio (1952), F. Noussittou(1953), R. Garzón (p) (1955), A. Cordero (1957-58), A. Kaminsky (1959-60), J. L. Carrera(1961-62), F. Ambrosetti (1963-64), E. Jonquières (1965-66), M. I. Quiroga (1967-68), R. N.Corti (1968-71) M. A. Mazzini (1972-1975), P. Viglioglia (1976-77), M. Seoane (1978-79), P.Magnin (1980-81), J. E. Cardama(1982-83), N. Sánchez Caballero (1984-85), L. M. Baliña(1986-87) (Figure 12), P. Magnin (1988-89), C. Parra (1989-1991), M. Marini (1992), P.Magnin (1993-95), L. Valle (1995-2004), J. Iribas (since 2004).Figure 12. Prof.L. M. BaliñaArgentine Society of Dermatology (ASD)Until 1973, it carried out monthly theoretical sessions for graduates at the headquartersof the Argentine Medical Association. Its members were not many in number andthe presidency was rotated among only a few physicians. It mostly brought together thedisciples of Kaminsky and Pierini.Under the presidency of Abulafia (1973-74) the Society was substantially modified. Anew and modern organization, along with the succession of meetings and congresses, triggeredthe inflow of numerous dermatologists. Since that time the presidency has been heldby A. Casalá (1975-76), O. Mángano (1977-78), D. Grinspan (1979-80) (Figure 13), A.Cordero (1981-82), J. C. Gatti (1983-84) (Figure 14), S. Stringa (1985-86), J. E. Cardama(1987-88), A. Woscoff (1989-90), H. N. Cabrera (1991-92), H. G. Crespi (1993-94), AnaKaminsky (1995-96), A. Cordero (1997-98), C. F. Gatti (1999-2000), M. Larralde (2001-2002), H. Cabo (2003-2004), E. Saraceno (since 2005).Its congresses are held every two years in different cities in the provinces and inBuenos Aires. During Ana Kaminsky’s presidency the ASD separated from the ArgentineMedical Association. Currently it has headquarters of its own. In 1995 it began to publishits official organ, Argentine Dermatology, edited by Alberto Woscoff (currently HonoraryEditor) and, since 2004, by Liliana Olivares.For some years the AAD and the ASD worked together, holding joint meetings. The mostFigure 13. Prof.D. GrinspanFigure 14. Prof.J. C. Gatti37