The global perspective of the International Society of Nephrology: A decade of experience with COMGAN

Abstract

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) was founded in 1960, about 10 years after the emergence of nephrology as a medical specialty separate from general internal medicine. ISN was, from the beginning, international in both composition and outlook in its pursuit of the worldwide advancement of education, science, and better patient care. Initially, this was done through the ISN Congresses and though the Society journal, Kidney International. These also served to promote networking within a very diverse constituency. In 1981 President-elect Donald W. Seldin proposed that US $30,000 should be made available for ISN-sponsored postgraduate continuing education courses in developing countries [1]. This marked the first foray by ISN into substantively supported educational meetings beyond its own congresses. In 1985, ISN launched the Fellowship Program in order to offer nephrology training opportunities to young physicians from developing nations with the ultimate aim of improving standards of training and care when they returned to their home country. Fellows received hands-on training at a host research institution in basic and clinical nephrology, dialysis, transplantation, epidemiology, and more. They then became teachers and leaders in their home countries, where the need for more knowledge and improved care was critical. In 1990, at a strategic planning retreat in Toronto, Ontario, chaired by Barry Brenner, it was recommended that sessions with the leaders of national societies should be held to discuss the needs of developing countries [2]. In 1991, a strategic planning retreat again suggested expanded programs in support of developing countries [3] and, in 1992, the membership of ISN offered qualified