History of the ISG

In the years immediately following World War II, the urge for international exchange, particularly in the medical profession, had been constrained by the lack of both finance and time. However, by the late 1950’s Europe and America were recovering from the effects of war, and the improved economic conditions together with the development of air travel eased both these constraints. Old friendships, many arising from shared experiences in the war years, were rekindled. Large organisations, such as the American College of Surgeons, scheduled meetings in the British Isles and on the continent of Europe. The International Society of Surgery was starting its reorganisation and modernisation. The founders of the I.S.G. were convinced that there was a need for the closer personal relationships that could develop most satisfactorily, not in such large meetings, but in a small group of surgeons meeting to share their ideas, successes and failures. Surgical clubs of this sort had existed prior to the war in Great Britain, but the concept of a transatlantic group was new, and it was appreciated that the members of this group should be selected not only on the basis of their reputation as academic and clinical surgeons, but also on their willingness, because of their belief in the validity of the concept, to travel at regular intervals to the meetings.

Excerpt from:

THE INTERNATIONAL SURGICAL GROUP
BY
Claude E Welch
Professor of Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA

Leslie P Le Quesne
Emeritus Professor or Surgery
University College and Middlesex Hospital
School of Medicine, London, England

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