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February, 2001 Volume 7 Issue
1 Editor: James E. Carter, MD Regional Editors: Togas Tulandi, MD István Rakoczi, MD and Prashant Mangeshikar MD |
Inside this Issue:
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President's
Letter
John J. Sciarra,
MD, PhD
“Gynecologic Endoscopy – Partnerships without Borders”
Dear Colleagues:
We are entering a time in the development of the discipline of gynecologic endoscopy where there is an opportunity to build bridges, both ideologically and functionally. The science and practice of endoscopy have progressed to the point where core groups of advanced endoscopic surgeons have organized themselves in every corner of the world, not only to exchange knowledge, but also to set goals and plan for the future of the field.
Having entered the age of lightning-fast communication, we find in each area of medicine a shift towards virtual communities – communities developed out of shared goals and ideals, even shared resources and administration. This is especially true in the high technology fields of medicine, such as gynecologic endoscopy. In the past decade, since the founding of the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy, we have experienced an unprecedented and explosive growth of new membership groups in both surgical laparoscopy and gynecologic endoscopy. With the help of resources like the World Wide Web, these communities are comprised of members in every area of the world. Communication is no longer local, regional or national, but has become global. With such a large number of organizations, local societies, regional societies and sub-specialty societies in gynecologic endoscopy operating worldwide, there is now more than ever the opportunity for both functional consolidation and working partnerships to be developed within our discipline. It is my belief that our common ideal should be a shared goal.
Towards this end, the ISGE must adapt to allow a collegial exchange of resources with partner organizations whenever and wherever possible. We have a diverse membership with over seventy countries represented. Clearly, our Society is in an excellent position to foster and further the goal of creating a unified international climate in the specialty of gynecologic endoscopy and to share information and resources with its partner organizations worldwide.
I hope you will consider our 10th Annual Congress as an opportunity to work with other physicians across geographical borders to develop these sorts of functional communities. I also invite you to enlist the senior members of our organization to facilitate these efforts and create lasting partnerships. We have our annual business meeting on Friday, March 30th from 11:00am – 12:15pm and I certainly encourage all members of the Society to attend this meeting and become active participants within our own organization. The theme of this year’s event, Gynecologic Endoscopy, Today and Tomorrow, urges us to look forward – to plan globally and continue to develop our shared goals through partnerships without borders.