The Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology : Historical review

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Correspondence and reprints: Dr Hugh Chaun, 3185 West 45th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V6N 3L9. Telephone 604-261-8437, fax 604-872-7921, e-mail hchaun@mac.com Received for publication July 13, 2011. Accepted July 18, 2011 Study the past if you would define the future – Confucius (551BC – 479BC) The Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology (Bockus Society) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation in 2008. In the original Constitution and By-laws (circa 1959), it was stated that “those eligible to membership as ACTIVE MEMBERS of this alumni society shall be former students, residents and fellows in Gastroenterology of the Graduate School of Medicine or the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The privileges of voting and holding office shall be limited to ACTIVE MEMBERS of the society.” With the passage of time, it became an increasing reality that criteria for active membership of the Society needed to broaden to maintain its vitality now and in the future. In his presidential report at the Society’s Annual Digestive Disease Week Luncheon Meeting in 2004, Dr Michael V Sivak Jr recalled that Dr Bockus had voted in favour of trainees of his trainees to become eligible members and, thus, his vision for the Society to carry on in perpetuity. Because the Bockus Society has elected many new members in recent years, it is timely to provide a historical review of the Society so that newer generations of members and of gastroenterologists worldwide may be enriched by some knowledge of its distinguished history. I am indebted to the availability of Dr William S Haubrich’s 1994 Revised Edition of Bockus – His Life, His Work, that he edited under the auspices of The Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology (1).

Study the past if you would define the future -Confucius (551BC -479BC) The Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology (Bockus Society) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation in 2008.In the original Constitution and By-laws (circa 1959), it was stated that "those eligible to membership as ACTIVE MEMBERS of this alumni society shall be former students, residents and fellows in Gastroenterology of the Graduate School of Medicine or the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.The privileges of voting and holding office shall be limited to ACTIVE MEMBERS of the society."With the passage of time, it became an increasing reality that criteria for active membership of the Society needed to broaden to maintain its vitality now and in the future.In his presidential report at the Society's Annual Digestive Disease Week Luncheon Meeting in 2004, Dr Michael V Sivak Jr recalled that Dr Bockus had voted in favour of trainees of his trainees to become eligible members and, thus, his vision for the Society to carry on in perpetuity.Because the Bockus Society has elected many new members in recent years, it is timely to provide a historical review of the Society so that newer generations of members and of gastroenterologists worldwide may be enriched by some knowledge of its distinguished history.I am indebted to the availability of Dr William S Haubrich's 1994 Revised Edition of Bockus -His Life, His Work, that he edited under the auspices of The Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology (1).

Figure 1) Dr Henry Leroy Bockus (1894-1982). Reproduced with permission from Dr WS Haubrich
at the Lennox Hill Hospital, New York (USA), one of his teachers was Dr Max Einhorn, chief of the Gastrointestinal Service, who was a major influence in his decision to pursue a career in gastroenterology (2).Dr Einhorn was a prolific inventor, creating the 'gastrodiaphane' in 1889 for illuminating the lumen of the stomach (before the advent of the x-ray), and many other devices including the duodenal biliary drainage tube (to study gallbladder emptying and pancreatic secretion) and the Einhorn's string test (to detect the site of upper gastrointestinal bleeding) (2,3).

BOCKUS' GASTROENTEROLOGY
"His book" (Figure 2), as Dr Haubrich described it, has been the 'bible' of gastroenterology for subsequent generations of clinicians interested in gastrointestinal disorders throughout the world (1    Brazil was the first president of the Bockus Society.The inaugural meeting of the Society was held at the Barclay Hotel in Philadelphia on June 3, 1959, at which all 105 newly inducted members attended (1).There was a scientific program.The topics discussed were the following: idiopathic ulcerative colitis; amoebic colitis; intestinal schistosomiasis; and colitis due to Shigellosis, Salmonellosis and Candida albicans (1).At the meeting, it was decided that scientific congresses (in even years) (Table 1) would alternate annually with business luncheons (in odd years), the latter in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Gastroenterology Association.On many occasions, the three-day scientific congress took place just before or following a major international meeting such as a World Congress, Pan-American Congress or a European meeting of gastroenterology, on the same continent.There were always special memories of extracurricular activities at each of the Bockus Society meetings.For example, in London, United Kingdom, in July 1978, there was a reception in the House of Lords, and during the banquet at the Café Royale, a detachment of the Queen's Own Grenadier Guards in full regalia arrived to entertain in rousing martial music!(1).Camaraderie (the word often used by Dr Bockus), good fellowship and pervasive spirit of goodwill have characterized these meetings over the years, as described by Dr Haubrich (1).From 1962 to 1973, 27 postgraduate courses were organized and sponsored by the Bockus Society in 20 different cities and 10 countries including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic and Panama, supported by local medical societies and faculties (Table 2).The aim was to provide opportunities to exchange medical knowledge in gastroenterology and, at the same time, to create international relations and to foster goodwill, understanding, respect and friendship (1).

THE BOCKUS SOCIETY -THE PAST 25 YEARS Annual Bockus Society Digestive Disease Week Luncheon Meeting
In the early days of the Society, the business luncheons were held during alternate (odd) years.Now, the luncheon meeting takes place annually on a pre-arranged date at a hotel location during the Digestive Disease Week.It is the Annual General Meeting of the Society.3) Social programs at the biennial meetings: There are always memorable special 'Bockus moments' at each biennial meeting.In the Republic of San Marino, Italy (1988), it was a 'mountain top experience' (1).In Cairns, Australia (1990), highlights were the Kuranda Rail trip and an excursion to view the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.In Nice, France (1992), there was the spectacular banquet at the Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, on the final evening.In Vancouver, British Columbia (1994), a harbour cruise for the welcome reception was blessed by a warm and brilliant September evening amid the lighting of a glorious sunset.In Dublin, Ireland (1996), Colm and Marcelle O'Morain magically hosted a superb dinner at their home, and there was a tea reception with the Lord Mayor in the Mansion House.In Graz, Austria (1998), a unique 'moment' was the visit to the ancestral Uhlich-Wegschaider home in the historic border town of Bad Radkersburg, hosted by Dr Gustav Uhlich's sister, Marlies, and Professor Gerfried Zeichen.The meeting in Graz immediately preceded the World Congress of Gastroenterology in Vienna, at which Dr Guenter Krejs was President.In Bangkok, Thailand (2002), members of the Society and their guests were enthralled by visits to some of Thailand's historical treasures including the Royal Grand Palace and the impressive Wat Pra Kaew, and the Phra Maha That and Wat Para Si Sanphet temples.In Brno, Czech Republic (2004), a highlight was the trip to Telc, a historic UNESCOprotected town with magnificent architecture.At Casa De Campo, Dominican Republic (2006), there was a dinner at Minitas Beach in the warmth of a Caribbean evening, and a Dominican dinner in the hillside town of Altos de Chavón, a charming recreation of a 16th century Mediterranean village, with a small flood-lit church in the town square.In Budapest, Hungary (2008), it was the unforgettable evening at Visegrád where the attendees were entranced by a demonstration of a knights' tournament in the 800-year-old Solomon's tower, followed by a dinner of royal dishes at the Renaissance Restaurant while entertained by lute music.In Marrakech (2010), an exotic Moroccan city founded in the 11th century, the majestic spires of the minarets and walks through the souks within its old-walled medina provided a rich memory of many colourful sights and sounds.In Dublin, Ireland (2011), there was the memorable conference banquet in the splendid historic dining hall of Trinity College School of Medicine, celebrating its tercentenary, the meeting fittingly hosted by Professor Colm O'Morain, who was Dean of the Trinity College Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Biennial Scientific Congresses (Table
To quote Dr Haubrich, "mere words cannot convey the intangible yet pervasive spirit of goodwill that marks these meetings" (1).

Other Bockus Society events 2005:
A special dinner was organized for members attending the World Congress of Gastroenterology in Montreal, Quebec, on September 11, at La Mareé (Restaurant Français) in Old Montreal, at which 22 members and guests attended.2007: A Bockus Society evening reception was held on October 16, at the 2007 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, graciously hosted by Dr Barbara Frank and Dr Leonard Frank in their home in historic Rittenhouse Square.Fifteen members, with accompanying guests, enjoyed a delightful evening.There was a prominent display at the ACG registration area of a magnificent historical poster of Dr Henry L Bockus (1894-1982).Contributors to its preparation included Dr Barbara

TABLE 2 Postgraduate courses sponsored by the Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology, 1962 to 1973
Frank and Dr Vikas Khurana.The poster was later transferred and displayed at the entrance to the Franks' home for the reception.2010: A wine and cheese evening reception, an initiative of Mr Richard Berk, was held on October 19, at the 2010 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas (USA), at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the day of the Annual ACG J Edward Berk Lecture.It is planned to have similar receptions for members of the Bockus Society at future ACG Annual Scientific Meetings, on the evening the day before the J Edward Berk Lecture.
The inaugural biennial Berk/Bockus Honorary Lecture at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, on November 17, 2010, was delivered by Dr Peter A Banks entitled 'Recognition and treatment of severe acute pancreatitis'.The program also included grand rounds, a case conference, and case presentations by fellows and residents.The event was supported by a generous grant provided by Mr Richard Berk and his family in memory of his late father, Dr J Edward Berk and by the Bockus Society.

Officers of the Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology
In accordance with Article IV, Section 1 and Section 2 of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society, "the officers of the society shall be President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Past President, Secretary-General, and Treasurer.The President, President-Elect, and Vice-President shall be elected for a term of two years.The Secretary-General and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of four years.Tenure   The number of new members elected to the Society since 1996 are presented in Table 6.

THE BOCKUS INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY Membership Pin
The elegant pin, an innovation of Dr Lawrence Brandt and designed by him, became available in 1999.It has been presented to many members of the Society attending the regular Society meetings, as well as to all newly elected members of the Society in the past decade.

Bockus Society Research Grant Award
The award, consisting of a $10,000 grant to cover a period of two years, was established to support original research in clinical gastroenterology or hepatology by a young investigator.Details of eligibility and the application process are accessible through the Bockus Society website (www.bockus.org).Previous recipients of the award since 1996 were Dr Richard CK Wong (1996), Patrick Pfau (2000) and Jaime Matta (2001).

Acknowledgement of the Berk family contributions to the Bockus Society
The Bockus Society acknowledges, with immense appreciation and gratitude, the generous donations by Mr Richard Berk, the son of the late Dr J Edward Berk, on behalf of his family, in 2006 for a named award (before Dr Berk's 95th birthday), in 2007 to establish the J Edward Berk Lectureship Endowment Fund and another in 2008.Dr Berk was one of the founding members of Bockus Society.He served as Editor-in-Chief of the fourth edition of the Bockus textbook, Gastroenterology.He was the founding chairman of the Department of Medicine, University of California at Irvine (UCI, California, USA), and there is now a Berk Center for Medical Education at UCI.He and his family have also contributed generously to Jefferson Medical College (of which he was an alumnus) and to the ACG, among other beneficiaries.In his tribute to Dr Berk (2008), Dr Haubrich stated: "his clinical skills, his scholarship, his good humour, his loyalty, his generosity will not be forgotten".

The
Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology: Historical review Hugh Chaun MA BM BCh FRCP FRCP(Edin) FRCPC FACG AGAF Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Correspondence and reprints: Dr Hugh Chaun, 3185 West 45th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V6N 3L9.Telephone 604-261-8437, fax 604-872-7921, e-mail hchaun@mac.comReceived for publication July 13, 2011.Accepted July 18, 2011 ) was born on April 18, 1894, in Newark, Delaware (USA), of English-Welsh descent.His family moved to Pennsylvania (USA), and following high school in Philadelphia, he attended Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania, USA), graduating in 1917.He was a lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the United States Marines from 1917 to 1919.He was stationed in Cuba, which might have stimulated his life-long interest in international relations, particularly in Latin America (1).While training in internal medicine The Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology was founded in 1958 in honour of Dr Henry L Bockus (1894-1982) by his former students, residents and fellows at the Graduate School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.It was a celebrated tribute to Dr Bockus' outstanding leadership in the development and teaching of clinical gastroenterology as a subspecialty, which was in its infancy in the post-World War II era.He established the first formal training course in clinical gastroenterology in America.His department of gastroenterology became the leading graduate school of clinical gastroenterology in the world, training many clinical gastroenterologists in America and from many regions around the world.For many years, Dr Bockus was the most prominent American in world gastroenterology.The Bockus Society holds biennial scientific congresses in different continents, thus continuing to foster Dr Bockus' lifelong interest and vision to promote international medical friendship, and excellence in education and research collaboration.Key Words: Bockus Society; Dr HL Bockus; History La Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology : un historique D'anciens étudiants, résidents et étudiants au postdoctorat de l'école supérieure de médecine de l'université de la Pennsylvanie à Philadelphie, aux États-Unis, ont fondé la Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology en 1958, en hommage à leur ancien professeur, le docteur Henry L Bockus

Figure 2 )
Figure 2) Bockus' Gastroenterology: Four volumes of the third edition (1) second edition was published from 1963 to 1965, the third edition from 1974 to 1976, the fourth edition in 1985 and the fifth edition in 1994.After Dr Bockus' death in 1982, Dr J Edward Berk was the Editor-in-Chief of the fourth edition, with 314 contributors, consisting of seven volumes and 256 chapters.Dr William S Haubrich, Dr Fenton Schaffner and Dr Berk were the Editors of the fifth (and final) edition, published in time for the 10th World Congress of Gastroenterology held in Los Angeles, California (USA) in 1994(1).
).It was regarded as the most comprehensive publication in gastroenterology (2), and was translated from English into Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese.The first edition(1944 to 1946), authored and edited by Dr Bockus, had 14 contributors, and was comprised of three volumes and 125 chapters.

TABLE 3 Scientific Congresses of the Bockus International Society of Gastroenterology, 1986 to 2011 Year Program Chair(s) Articles presented, n Special invited lecturers
Dr Conti: "Epidemiology of gastric cancer in San Marino" of office shall be limited to one term.This limitation shall not apply to the Secretary-General and Treasurer."Alist of the Presidents of the Bockus Society is presented in Table4, and a list of Secretary-Generals and Treasurers of the Bockus Society in Table5.Other officers elected in 2011 include President-Elect Dr David Bernstein (USA) and Vice-PresidentDr Fernando Contreras  (Dominican Republic)

MEMBERSHIP Bockus Lifetime Achievement Award
It was recorded in 2000 that previous awardees were Dr J Edward Berk, Dr Wlliam Haubrich, Dr Martin Kalser, Dr Francisco Vilardell, Dr Franz Goldstein, Dr Rudolph Ammann and Dr Harris Clearfield.There are currently 326 names in the Bockus Society membership list, representing 24 countries worldwide.Among the Canadian members of the Society, six have been past presidents of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (4): Dr Richard McKenna, Dr Abraham Bogoch, Dr Ivan Beck, Dr Alan Thomson, Dr Richard Hunt and Dr Desmond Ledden; and one past president of the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver: Dr Eric Yoshida.Drs McKenna, Beck and Bogoch were founding members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology.Dr Hunt was the Henry L Bockus Memorial Lecturer at the 14th World Congress of Gastroenterology in London, United Kingdom, in 2009.