A Précis and Perspective of the Phylogeny of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

Abstract

All great enduring bodies and societies began by small gatherings of persons to share their learned experiences and thoughts that all may be recorded for posterity. And so it was with this august body, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS). The idea for the PIDS was born from Stanley A. Plotkin’s perspicacious thought (Figure 1) that clearly infectious diseases was an important specialty in pediatrics, and although adult infectious diseases had been established as a legitimate subspecialty, pediatric infectious diseases (PID) had not. “Of course, there were many practioners of PID, most of whom I knew, but they almost all complained about their lack of recognition by department chairs.” Moreover, no board or certification existed. Stanley thought that if the people who were doing PID could be brought together, the “invisible college” that already existed could become discernible, and when visible might start organizing itself. The idea was discussed with a number of Stanley’s friends, notably Phil Brunell, David Karzon, Vickie Schauf, and Scott Giebink, and all were enthusiastic. Although yet to be officially baptized or recognized, the seed for a future annual assemblage of PID specialists was planted, but unfunded. Hence, Stanley wrote to 12 pharmaceutical companies requesting support for his novel venture. He noted that he had “canvassed about 70 people in the field, and enthusiasm has been practically unanimous. I expect that practically everyone in the field attending the meeting will also attend the dinner. Furthermore, since the dinner will be rather expensive if not subsidized, I am asking for a contribution of $750 from each firm. Frankly, anything less than $500 will not be helpful.” Of the 12 companies, most sent their polite regrets. Four contributed between $250 and $750 to a grand total of $2500. With this trove treasured in the bank, Stanley sent letters to all heads of PID fellowship programs announcing that he was convening a meeting of PID specialists during the 1978 American Pediatric Society-Society for Pediatric Research (APS-SPR) meeting. Anyone practicing PID full-time in an academic center was invited. The first official meeting of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Club was held on April 27, 1978 at the New York Hilton (New York City, NY) with cocktails, dinner, and a program on measles vaccination by James Cherry, Samuel Katz, and Saul Krugman. Ninety-seven people attended and, of note, the cost for this 4-course dinner at the Hilton was $7.50 per person. Following this program, a very lively discussion concerning the formation of a recognized PID group ensued. Many insisted that no formal organization was necessary; PID was not and should not be a formal specialty, and this would lead to an additional abhorrent board examination. But many argued that making PID a specialty would be necessary for professional recognition, and general pediatricians could Special Article