History
THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTHEASTERN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEONS
Anthony J. Pizzo, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(As published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, January 1999 and
presented at the SESPRS Annual Meeting in Naples, Florida, June 1998)
Members and guests:
Robert Reeder was a loyal and devoted member of our Society who served as its
president, as well as president in the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgeons. He was also awarded the prestigious Special Achievement Award by our
Society for his contributions in the area of aviation and other contributions
to his community. He was to have presented this history of the Society at last
year's 40th annual meeting, but unfortunately his untimely passing prevented
him from doing so.
President Kenna Given has charged me, as historian, to bring you Bob=s presentation
this year. Allen Hughes astutely preserved his slides and has passed them on
to me for presentation. Unfortunately, no text accompanied these slides. I have
taken the liberty of deleting some of Bob's slides for purposes of brevity and
have added a few for purposes of clarity and discussion and hope that the sum
will be true to the spirit of his presentation.
I would like to thank John Hamilton, the only member of our Society to have ever attended every annual meeting, for his time and assistance in the identification of these slides. Similarly, I would like to thank Joel Mattison and Ron Johnson who also were very helpful to this end. Finally, I would like to thank the Tampa Public Library system, the Tampa Tribune and St. Joseph's Hospital for assistance in the preparation of my own slides.
Founding
The founding of the Society can be traced to a tour of the South
taken by McCarthy DeMere in the spring of 1957, in the course of
which he spoke with most of the Board Certified plastic surgeons
of the area. He was struck by the commonality of problems facing
these practitioners. He therefore, upon his return, wrote to the
plastic surgeons of the Southeast, emphasizing their need to gather
to discuss the common problems of dealing with governmental organizations,
fee schedules and professional liability problems. As outlined in
the letter, his intent was that this organization would be permanent
in nature and he emphasized the desire that the scientific portion
of the program would deal only with new developments, as the membership
would be composed of experienced plastic surgeons.
Thus, on November 4th of 1957 all Board Certified members in the Southeast were invited to Mac's room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on the occasion of the 1957 national meeting of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
There a spark was struck and the project took a life of its own and on the 17th of April of 1958 the first meeting of the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 28 members shown became the founding members of our Society. Although these numbers seem small, to keep it in perspective one must realize the total number of members of the American Society in 1957 was 299. (Communication from ASPRS, November 1997) The members stayed at the St. Charles Hotel and the scientific sessions were held at the International House. In keeping with the emphasis of the Society, the program was highlighted by representatives of the insurance, legal, business and accounting industries. However, a perusal of the scientific programs shows that from its very inception the program was of the very highest quality.
Organization
Much heavy lifting was done in the area of the structural organization
of the Society. During the course of these spirited discussions many
a blow was struck for freedom of speech. This included changing the
very name of the Society from the originally proposed Southeastern
Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to its present name.
The geographical composition of the Society was another issue of
significant discussion. In addition to the eleven states which now
comprised our Society, other states were considered, including West
Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. However, the prevailing
sentiment seems to have been that the Society be composed of states
which were part of the confederacy.
The first meeting host was Neal Owens of New Orleans, Louisiana, who was eventually elected our founding president. One of the most important of the committees organized at this initial meeting was the Arms and Seals Committee. This committee was composed of Greer Ricketson, Clifford Snyder and Bob Hagerty. Bob Hagerty in particular seems to have been the spearhead in creating the Arms and Seals of the Society.
The background shield of the Arms is a portion of the confederate battle flag which contains eleven of the original 13 stars, corresponding to the 11 states of our membership. It should be noted that the confederate battle flag was used only in battle and was not the official flag of the Confederate States of America. Rather, the flag known as the Stars and Bars was the official flag. As can be seen, it is very similar in appearance to the American flag.
The origins of the battle flag are quite interesting. It was conceived after the first battle of Manassas. During the course of this battle both sides were awaiting reinforcements which they were aware would be critical to the outcome. When the reinforcements came into view the flag they carried hung limply at the side of the staff. Initially, General Pierre Gustav Toutant-Beauregard, commander of the confederate forces in the field, was informed that it appeared to be the American flag, but because the two flags were so similar it was impossible to be sure. At that very moment, a stiff wind brought the Stars and Bars to its horizontal position and General Beauregard was able to use these reinforcements to carry the day. In this time of limited battle field communications General Beauregard recognized the need for a battle flag that was easily distinguishable from Old Glory.[1] Thus, he lead in the design of the battle flag of the confederacy and the first of these battle flags was produced by a sewing circle of ladies in Virginia, made up in part of the great grandmother and great aunt of our members Andy, Woody and Michael Moore.
Based upon the fact that the battle flag of the confederacy was the symbol most often associated with the southeastern states, that Louisiana was the birthplace of the Society and a member of the confederacy, and that Louisiana was the birthplace of the flag's designer, General Pierre Gustav Toutant-Beauregard, a portion of the confederate battle flag was chosen as the background.
The nude male figure on the Arms of the Society is not, in fact, a representation of our founding president, Neal Owens, as was humorously stated in the early days of our Society. It is an etching from the classic work of anatomy by Andreas Vesalius, printed in 1543.[2] It is especially appropriate to our Society because the right hand is extended, demonstrating our interest in surgery of the hand and the left hand cradles the skull, demonstrating our emphasis in surgery of the head and neck area. The fig leaf present cannot be found in the original rendition. It was added for purposes of modesty by one of our founding members, Beverly Douglas.
The motto "Decor et Facultas" is best translated "beauty and function" and a more appropriate motto for a plastic surgery society I do not believe can be found.
These elements in combination represent the Arms of the Society which is found on the letterhead of all communication within the Society.
The Seal of the Society is similar but is found at the bottom of all pronouncements and promulgations of the Society and is used to substantiate the signatures.
The amulet of the Society is the Arms of the Society, cast in pure gold and carried by all past presidents of the Society. Its history is fascinating. Clifford Snyder, one of our past presidents, while serving as a life guard at Daytona Beach during his collegiate years, noticed some shimmering below the surface of the water following a hurricane. He dove on these objects and was able to retrieve approximately two score pieces of Spanish bullion. He later created our original amulets from these same pieces of eight for our original presidents. Eventually, of course, the source ran out and he created a template from which all future amulets were struck (Personal communication with Clifford Snyder, August 1997). A tradition of which we should all be aware is that upon demand all past presidents must produce this amulet on the spot and failing to do so will carry with it the responsibility of purchasing the beverage of choice of all Southeasterners in the vicinity.
John Hartley may be credited with the concept of the presidential necklace and for sheparding this project to its completion. It was presented for the first time to our then president, Jim Fleming, in 1983.
Lectureships and Awards
Sam Upchurch was our president in 1964 and as a devoted member of our society his widow saw fit to bequeath our Society with funds to initiate the Upchurch Educational Fund as well as the Upchurch Lectureship. This lectureship has been a virtual "Who's Who" in plastic surgery and has covered a variety of diverse and fascinating topics.
The Glancy Award is annually presented to the resident and residency program deemed to have presented the finest paper in the residency competition at our annual meeting. A large silver bowl on which is inscribed the name of the authors and institution is placed in the keeping of that institution during the year of its victory. A smaller bowl is given to the resident to be kept on a permanent basis. As to the origin of the name, the award was funded by a General Glancy, an appreciative patient of Billy Huger of Atlanta, Georgia, in gratitude for medical services rendered. Foad Nahai was our original recipient of the Glancy Award in 1977.
Also initiated in 1977 was the Special Achievement Award. This is given to members who have contributed significantly in their endeavors outside the realm of plastic surgery. It is not a yearly award but is given meritoriously. Billy Pitts of Birmingham, Alabama, was our initial recipient.
The Pickrell Award is given for teaching excellence and is named for Kenneth Pickrell, longtime chief of Duke University Plastic Surgery Department. He was responsible for the education of many of the plastic surgeons in this audience. This award is likewise not granted yearly and the very deserving original recipient of this award was Andy Moore of Lexington, Kentucky.
Education Programs
The Scientific Program has always been renowned in plastic surgery circles. This has not only due to the high scientific quality of the presentations, but a refreshing honesty found in these presentations. This is in no small part due to the tradition of very frank discussions following these presentations. This, in turn, is due to the camaraderie and friendship that has developed among our membership and families in the unique setting of our meetings.
From its inception the Southeastern has also invited the finest minds in plastic surgery from throughout the country and world. This is in evidence today with the presidents of the American Society, the Educational Foundation, and the Aesthetic Society having presented progress reports on their respective organizations. In keeping with this custom, a yearly presentation by an American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery representative has become a tradition, with the original of these presentations being delivered by Sherrill Aston in 1983.
The Breast Symposium, one of the finest endeavors of the Southeastern, was introduced in 1985. The cornerstone of this symposium has been Carl Hartrampf with his virtuoso live surgical demonstrations. For many years the symposium has also benefited by the scientific and organizational contributions of Frank Elliott. For further reading on the history of this symposium, I refer you to that portion of the 40 year history of the Southeastern, as written by Frank.
Social Events
The significance of holding our annual meetings in a resort setting cannot be underestimated. The ability of our members and families to golf, run, play tennis, swim and take in tours to local points of interest, has contributed to the building of friendship and camaraderie. This, I believe, as stated earlier, has had a great influence on the character of our scientific presentations.
The social structure of the meeting has been the same since its inception. The welcoming reception, the evening following registration, is always a place where old friendships are renewed and new ones are made. The theme party on the following evening is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy themselves. The highlight of the social week, of course, is the formal dinner dance, where awards, both comedic and serious, are presented. The passing of the gavel also takes place at this event.
Final Thoughts
A tradition no longer observed is the raising of the Southeastern flag. It was raised at the welcoming reception to the accompaniment of Dixie played on the trumpet by the late Lee Block. It then flew over the resort during the remainder of the meeting.
It is evident from Bob=s slides and his expressed feelings, that he wished to re-institute the use of the flag in our meetings, particularly the tradition of raising the flag to the accompaniment of Dixie at the welcoming reception.
I would like to add a few comments. The first of these deals with the song. I would like to share with you an interesting bit of history that I came across during the course of my research. On the evening of the signing of the Armistice at Appomattox, a band and crowd gathered on the front lawn of the White House, calling for President Lincoln. The President appeared and requested the band play Dixie using these words AI have always thought it is one of the best tunes I=ve ever heard@. [3]
But even greater controversy surrounds the battle flag. Let us for a moment consider the ways in which different members of our audience might view this flag. To understand the first fashion in which certain members of our audience might view this flag it is important to understand that for the country as a whole the War between the States was a tragedy but for the South it was an utter catastrophe. There were 258,000 deaths and at least that many more wounded from the 900,000 soldiers enlisted by the South. Thus, approximately one in four confederate soldiers were lost. This from a total male population of only 4.5 million, both free and slave. [4] So for some members of the Society this flag represents sacrifice, in some families the ultimate sacrifice. For other members of the Society the flag may represent the traditional southern values of honor, loyalty, hospitality and a certain civility in behavior. However, I have also come to realize that for other members of our audience this flag may represent past repression and ongoing injustice.
However, upon further reflection it became apparent the battle flag is not the only American flag that is surrounded by controversy. Old Glory has also been utilized in our most profound moments, such as a flag-draped coffin, and our most profane moments, such as the burning of the flag at demonstratoins. And that is not to belittle or judge the cause of these protesters, but rather to show that the flag itself has become the lightning rod for these controversies.
Finally, we know racist groups also carry the American flag during their demonstrations. This, of course, begs the following questions. Must we now give up the American flag? Does every object or symbol held in the hand of a racist become a racist symbol? Should we give these sort of people that sort of power? Or should we instead look at the goals and purposes of the organization that utilizes that symbol. If one were to examine the Southeastern, certainly the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge in plastic surgery in a family friendly atmosphere would seem to be above reproach.
However, I am not sure that the controversy surrounding our flags will ever abate, as it appears to be woven into the very fabric of American culture. But of one thing I am sure, if this organization should decide to enter into a conversation about this tradition or any other of its traditions or symbols, that conversation will be held in the finest Southern and Southeastern tradition of courtesy and respect for each other's heritage and convictions.
References
1. Address before Louisiana Division of the Army of Northern Virginia, December 1877, General P.G.T. Beauregard.
2. Epitome, Plate 80, Basel, Switzerland, 1543, Andreas Vesalius.
3. The Civil War, AWar is all Hell, 1865", Vol. 8, Ken Burns.
4. AConfederate States of America,@ Microsoft (R) Encarta (R) 96 Encyclopedia. (c) 1993-1995