By F. Wellens
Our challenges for the future
It was a very good year for our Society. Most of you are maybe not aware of the ongoing activities of the Society except through the information of our Newsletter.
Nevertheless your Board of Directors was working hard and the reports of the different activities were already mailed to you. I draw also your attention to the recent approval of the recognition of our specialty which is a milestone in the history of our Society.
The most important fact was that this Board of Directors became a very homogeneous group, working in a constructive, dynamic and friendly atmosphere. The Board was aiming at the defense of the interest of all cardiothoracic surgeons in our country.
I sincerely hope that the same positive spirit will inspire the New Board of Directors to further defend our scientific and professional interests. In this perspective I would find it more appropriate to nominate the President for a 2 or 3 year period. This will improve the organization and it gives the opportunity to the incoming President to plan and to realize projects over a larger period.
However the most difficult task for the New Board will be the search for a new secretary. Dirk Van Raemdonck finishes his term this year. Dirk was just a perfect secretary and his contribution to our Society has been outstanding. I would like to give him a warm applause.
By the way, he received already his goodbye present during our last Board Meeting.
A younger generation will take over the management of our Society, and also slowly the responsible positions in our daily practice.
Will their job be as easy as in the past ?
The spectre of treatment of cardiovascular disease has changed quite dramatically over the last years.
Mainly the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease has been challenged by Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.
And a new threat is appearing on the horizon. Will the treatment of aortic valve and maybe also mitral valve degenerative disease will follow the same direction ?
What about the treatment of atrial fibrillation, aortic pathology, etc.
Let us not be fatalistic like our American colleagues.
We have tools to defend ourselves in all aspects of cardiovascular surgery.
Besides the fact that we have to offer excellent surgical results to our patients, let us remain also very good clinical doctors in order to offer our patients also excellent clinical care.
In conclusion, Dear Colleagues, we have to stay unified and avoid unhealthy competition. The way the wind is blowing in our Society, reflects the constructive professional and friendly atmosphere between the cardiac centres in our country.
In my opinion this is the only way to preserve the future of cardiac surgery for all of us.
I thank you all for the honour and privilege that I could serve as your President. I wish our New President and Board good luck in preparing the 10th Anniversary of our Society
Brussels, 20 November 2004