How We Stand Out

The PTC stands out from other medical/pediatric organizations in a number of ways. As a result of the nomination/election process, club members, both academic and clinical, share a high level of intellectual interest and accomplishment and a sense of responsibility to their local community as well as an ability to relate to others positively and professionally. The roster reflects this fact. Second is the percentage of members who attend the meetings. The fact that 60% of active members (and nearly the same fraction of emeritus members) all of whom have busy professional and personal lives attend each of the annual meetings testifies to the value of the meetings to PTC members. Third is the prominent role of members partners. Since 1952, partners have been included and welcomed as participants in the annual meetings. The meeting has, since the early 1950’s included scheduled activities for partners during scientific sessions and they were welcomed at all other activities. As a result, partners and members look forward to attending meetings together and have an opportunity to get to know each other in a way that is not usual to such organizations. The meeting is a time of reunion and fellowship as well as scientific stimulation. The PTC shares with almost all other professional/medical associations of similar age, an unfortunate history of bias, often unconscious, against women. An early history of the PTC describes the role of partners under the subtitle “The Ladies”. In the mid 1970’s, Carolyn Hall was the first woman elected to membership, a step that may have reflected the fact that her father, Burtis Breese, was an early member as well as her own remarkable scientific and clinical accomplishments; at present about 1/3 of active members are women and an increasing number of male partners participate enthusiastically.