Jordan M. Phillips, MD1923-2008
Tre giorni fa è scomparso Jordan Phillips, fondatore dell'AAGL nel lontano 1971.
Qui sotto riportiamo un ricordo da parte di Errico Zupi, International VicePresident AAGL e Past President SEGi, e di seguito un comunicato dell'AAGL ai soci.
Cari amici,
apprendo dai colleghi dell'AAGL che Jordan Phillips è scomparso. Desidero partecipare a tutti voi questa triste notizia non perchè sorpreso, Jordan era da tempo malato, ma perchè ad iniziare da Lui abbiamo progressivamente saputo portare negli USA e nel mondo l'esperienza non dei singoli, ma dell'intera, valida, comunità di endoscopisti italiani. Fu il fondatore di AAGL nel 1971 e successivamente il maggior promotore e sponsor di tutte le iniziative divulgative delle metodiche chirurgiche a noi care. Si deve a Lui la creazione della rivista di AAGL ancora oggi apprezzata e recensita ai massimi livelli scientifici mondiali. Noi italiani, ed in particolare quanti di noi l'hanno conosciuto personalmente, ne ricordiamo la grande affettuosa ospitalità che ha saputo riservarci negli anni.
Lo ricordiamo con affetto e simpatia
Errico Zupi
Dear Friends:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our founder, Dr. Jordan M. Phillips. He passed away at home on Tuesday evening, July 29, 2008. He was 85.
Dr. Phillips was known for being a visionary and a humanitarian, and his impact on gynecologic endoscopy has been felt across the globe from physicians and residents to the patients they serve. In 1971, while gynecologic endoscopy was still in its infancy, he envisioned creating a forum where surgeons could share in their experiences, research and findings in this developing field. With that, the groundwork was laid for the establishment of the AAGL.
He served the organization as its chairman for 29 years. AAGL started with a handful of members in 1971, and grew to more than 5,000 members strong under his leadership. Under Dr. Phillips’ guidance, the association produced quality meetings, courses, publications and videos featuring the latest technologies, procedures and instrumentation presented by the leading experts in the field. In November 1993, the first issue of The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (then published as the Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) was created to inform and educate gynecologic surgeons through publishing peer-reviewed articles.
As a result of Dr. Phillips’ dedication and foresight, AAGL is now recognized globally as the foremost organization specializing in minimally invasive gynecology. His contributions were recognized when he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 by the AAGL, and again in 2001, from the International Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy.
In addition, he received multiple honors from the Ministries of Public Health in the People’s Republic of China for his involvement and contribution to that nation’s medical schools and hospitals. In fact, the Chinese government nominated him twice for the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work with M.B.C.I. (Medical Books for China International).
In honor of Dr. Phillips and his contributions to the practice of gynecologic endoscopy, the Board of Directors of the Foundation of the AAGL was in the process of establishing the Jordan M. Phillips Endowment. We will provide more details about this effort to our membership within the next 30 days.
The service for Dr. Phillips will be held:
Monday, August 4 * 2 p.m.Hillside Mortuary 6001 W. Centinela Ave. * Los Angeles, CA 90045(310) 641-0707
Our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathy go out to his wife, Mary, their daughter, Vanessa Weekes Page, and grandchildren, William, Robert and John. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to: Medical Books for China International, 13021 E. Florence Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, (562) 946-8774.
Fondest regards,
Linda Michels, AAGL Executive Director
Franklin D. Loffer, M.D., AAGL Executive Vice President/Medical Director
