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Synopsis of the 1999 IFAA meeting in Rome

1999; Wiley; Volume: 257; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(19991215)257

1097-0185

Duane E. Haines,

History of Medicine Studies

The XV Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) was held in Rome, Italy, September 11–16, 1999. The Congress was organized by Pietro Motta, MD, PhD, who is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and also President of the Italian Society of Anatomy. The Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FICAT), on which one Canadian and three US members of the AAA serve, met immediately prior to the IFAA Meeting. This IFAA meeting was well attended by anatomists from, quite literally, around the world. A general survey of attendees includes Central and South America, the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom, many countries on the European continent (eastern and western), the Scandinavian countries, the Middle East, Russia, several African countries (especially the Republic of South Africa), India, Australia, and China. Japan—who will host the XVI Congress in 2004—was especially well represented. The Congress site was at the Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale of the University of Rome. Professor Motta graciously allowed the attendees of the Congress to use the facilities of the Institute as the meeting venue. It represented a unique opportunity for the Congress attendees to see the facilities of Professor Motta's Institute and to meet and interact with some of his faculty, students, and staff. Other special and/or social events outside of the scientific sessions included a welcome reception at the Aula Magna of the University of Rome after the opening ceremony, a delightful evening visit at the Museo del Corso at the Colonna Sciarra Palace, and an Informal Rome Night Party held in the garden of the Isituto di Anatomia Umana Normale after the main postor session. The highlight of the evening's events was the gala dinner held at the Casina di Macchia Madama, which was enjoyed by several hundred visitors. The organizers also arranged two half-day tours for the accompanying persons. There were walking tours through Campidoglio, Foro Romano, and Colosseo on the first day and walking tours of the Palazzo Spada, Palazzo della Candelleria, Palazzo Baldassini, and Pallazzo della Sapienza on the second day. The AAA was well represented at this Congress. Don W. Fawcett, a former President of the AAA, was one of the Honorary Presidents. Thirteen AAA members organized and/or chaired or co-chaired Symposia at this IFAA meeting. These were (in order of their appearance in the program): B. Tandler (Texas Tech), P. Andrews (Georgetown University), R.R. Markwald (University of South Carolina, former AAA President), L.J.A. Di Dio (Sao Paulo), R.F. Gasser (LSU, New Orleans), P. Satir (Albert Einstein), E.R. Dirksen (UCLA , current member AAA Executive Committee), A.C. Enders (University of California, former AAA President), R.D. Yates (Tulane, current AAA President), R. Drake (University of Cincinnati, current chair of the Educational Affairs Committee), J. Gilloteaux (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine), D.E. Haines (University of Mississippi, current AAA Secretary-Treasurer), and C.E. Slonecker (University of British Columbia, former AAA President). The AAA Symposia were very well attended. It is clear, not only from the large crowds but also from the questions, that many of our colleagues worldwide share our interest (and concern) about the changing role of anatomy in medical education. It was equally clear that many anatomists are looking at innovative instructional methods that may work toward strengthening the position of anatomy in the medical curriculum. The topics of the various papers, symposia, and abstracts covered all areas of anatomy as broadly defined. Numerous papers dealt with cellular and molecular biology including mechanism of cell development and apoptosis, cell-to-cell signaling, nuclear structure/function, and several papers offered new views/concepts on organelles. The reproductive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems were covered from the gross anatomical to the utrastructural and molecular level. A wide range of gross anatomical topics were covered in special sessions related to aspects of teaching or in sessions related to particular functions, such as locomotion. Symposia also covered skeletal muscle, salivary glands, a variety of techniques (ultrastructure, cytochemisty, immunochemistry, etc.), developmental anatomy, clinical and surgical anatomy, history of anatomy, and many other topics. The program represented a broad range of topics that are of interest to the contemporary anatomist. It is never too early to start making plans for the XVI Congress of the IFAA, even though periodic announcements have yet to be made. The tentative dates for the XVIth Congress are August 22 (Sunday)–27 (Friday), 2004 and will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Hall in Japan. This beautiful and modern facility has numerous smaller conference rooms and a main hall with a 2,000-person capacity. Professor H. Hirano, currently President of the Japanese Anatomical Association, is the President of the XVI Congress. He will be working with several of his Japanese colleagues and with the duly elected officers of the IFAA to develop the XVI Congress. Our Japanese colleagues distributed some preliminary information at the IFAA General Assembly that provided general information on the site for the XVI Congress. If you would like to receive a summary of this information please contact the Secretary-Treasurer of the AAA at the address below. Naturally, additional and more detailed information will be available closer to the time of the XVIth Congress of the IFAA.