History of Latin American Dermatology

JOSÉ A. MÁSSIMO, PEDRO GARCÍA ZUBILLAGA, GRACIELA MANZUR, MIRTA VÁZQUEZManzur, scientific secretary; Carlos Hugo Escudero, legal and technical secretary; CarlosLorenzano, treasurer; Jorge Laffargue, assistant treasurer; as full members, Drs. GreteBloch, Nancy Leston, Alicia Carrillo from the province of Jujuy, Antonio Castillo from theprovince of Salta, and Cecilia Farrero from the province of San Luis; substitute membersDrs. Susana Grees, María Elsa Giovo from the province of Córdoba and Luis Pedemontefrom the city of La Plata; full account reviewers Drs. Ricardo Kohan and Gabriel Magariños;and as substitute account reviewer Dr. Pedro Rovere.This brief summary is an Argentine testimony to the way Pediatric Dermatology hasgradually acquired prominence in the world, currently having become a special field onits own.Argentine pediatric dermatologists felt the need to have an association that wouldbring them together and allow them to develop scientific and social activities in accordancewith their needs; thus the birth of ASADEPE.Its main goals have been and continue to be to intensify scientific and to teach activitiesand promote the interrelations among dermatologists, pediatric dermatologists, immunologists,allergists and pediatricians, for the purpose of improving and raising thequality of the treatment of our patients.In order to achieve those goals, it has continually taken on new responsibilities andaccepted new challenges, bringing achievements to fruition, offering the members teachingactivities, courses, bibliographical support and access to a computerized network onthe field.This has been a summary of the history of our institution, which is likewise a bit ofthe history of each and every one of the many who helped it to grow.In its ten years of existence, ASADEPE has carved out a space of its own thanks to thelabors of all those who believed in the path set out by the society. The latter will continueto work zealously for the growth of Pediatric Dermatology and to continue writing its historywhich, as in today’s case, will also be a small part of our own individual history.Our ten years of history are the best testimony to the effort carried out, with professionalethics, passion for our work and commitment to society as main values. ASADEPE1995-2005. ■September 2005