American Surgical Association.

Variant names

Dates:

Active 1880

Active 2005

Biographical notes:

The American Surgical Association was founded in 1880 with the following stated purpose: "the cultivation and improvement of the science and the art of surgery, the elevation of the medical profession and such other matters as may come legitimately within its sphere." Founder Samuel D. Gross began the regimen of yearly meetings in 1880. As of 1882 the meetings were recorded in the printed Minutes of the American Surgical Association. These meetings, along with the record of the meetings, are the cornerstones of the fulfillment of the stated mission. The primary activities of the yearly meetings consist of presentation of scientific papers; building membership through nomination and selection of new members; granting awards to outstanding members; and business proceedings such as fund raising, disbursement of fellowships, and other financial grants. Two major legacies of the Association are the founding of American surgical organizations which grew out of the American Surgical Association's membership (including) The American College of Surgeons (1913) and the American Board of Surgery (1937); and the strong support of its members for the development of research funding (such as) surgical biological research, beginning in 1945.

From the description of American Surgical Association archives, 1880-2005. (National Library of Medicine). WorldCat record id: 14327762

Founder Samuel D. Gross began the regimen of yearly meetings in 1880. As of 1882 the meetings were recorded in the printed Minutes of the American Surgical Association. These meetings, along with the record of the meetings, are the cornerstones of the fulfillment of the stated mission. The primary activities of the yearly meetings consist of presentation of scientific papers; building membership through nomination and selection of new members; granting awards to outstanding members; and business proceedings such as fund raising, disbursement of fellowships, and other financial grants.

G. Thomas Shires' Presidential Address of 1980 states the two major legacies of the Association are "...the founding of American surgical organizations which grew out of the American Surgical Association's membership (including) The American College of Surgeons (1913) and the American Board of Surgery (1937); and the "...strong support of its members for the development of research funding (such as) surgical biological research, beginning in 1945..."

The Society solidified its commitment to providing support for research beginning in 1982 with the establishment of Research Fellowship Awards made annually by the ASA Foundation. The 2000 Presidential address expresses a continued commitment to continuing this support to combat the perceived deficit in new surgical research.

A history of the Association was published in 1981 by member Mark M. Ravitch. A Century of Surgery (1981) is an exhaustive two-volume set including a history of the Association, as well as a by-subject index of the scientific papers contained therein.

From the guide to the American Surgical Association Archives, 1878-2009, (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)