History of Latin American Dermatology

Dermatology and dermatologists in Brazilmajor experts on cutaneous tumors, mainly melanoma; he is also one of the founders andthe first president of the Brazilian Melanoma Study Group (MBG). Under his direction,the Pro Memory Project was launched, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Paulo Cunha (Figure 11),the aim of which was to protect the history of Dermatology in Brazil through books, documentsand images. The first completed work was the edition of the History of Dermatologyin Brazil, a beautiful compilation of pictures and texts since the beginnings of thespecialized field in the country.Another aspect that stood out in his administration was the professional manner inwhich the BSD was managed and recieved financial momentum.Figure 9. AnaisBrasileiros deDermatologia.Year 1940Figure 10. Secondannual meeting ofBrazilian DermatosyphilographersinBelo Horizonte. (1945)BSD 2003/2004In the last two years, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology has centralized the institutionaland political activities aiming to increase the prestige of the specialized field. Togetherwith the Brazilian Medical Association, it participated actively in the nationalmovement for the implementation of a new and more equitable list of medical fees whichis being used nationwide. It also participated in the meetings to reject the creation of newmedical schools and in the meetings that dealt with the bill on Medical Practice, and furthermoresent specialists to take part in the Chamber on Beauty Products and Proceduresof the Federal Council of Medicine.Internally, it has worked intensively through its specialized departments in the creationof Handbooks for guidance on procedures used in the specialized field. The specialtycommission established the routine of visiting the services certified for residency,guaranteeing the quality of Dermatology education in the country. Of great importancewas the task undertaken by a working group made up of the heads of certified educationalservices and commissions, scientists and specialists who redefined the minimumeducational program of Brazilian Dermatology. They issued new rules for the certificationof specialized services that had been undertaking these educational programs anddrew up proposals for the improvement in the evaluation criteria for those wishing to obtainthe specialist degree.In order to know the setting in which Brazilian dermatologists work, as well as thereal situation of the specialists in the different Brazilian regions, the Brazilian Society ofDermatology completed an investigation that outlined the profile of dermatologists in87