President's Page
by John D. Hastings, M.D.
In March we held the last Executive Committee meeting prior to the Boston Annual Scientific meeting. This year has passed
quickly, and soon the gavel will be passed to the capable hands of President Elect Andy Bellenkes.
I want to acknowledge what a difficult year this has been for our Executive Director of nearly seventeen years, Dr. Russell
Rayman. Russell lost his wife of 38 years, Ludy after a difficult illness, a sad moment for all of us who have always seen Russell and Ludy
together. Also, Russell has made the difficult decision to depart as Executive Director in January, 2009. It is my wish that Russell will look
upon AsMA as an organization filled with colleagues and friends who offer him our love and support.
We busied ourselves with a packed agenda at the meeting and dealt with several issues in depth. At the end we allotted time
for stratetgic planning. We asked ourselves why an individual would want to join AsMA, and all agreed that the blue journal and annual scientific
meetings were high on the list for most. I have since given some more thought to this, and the top reason on my list was an item not the journal,
not the meeting. Rather it was you, the members. For me it is the fellowship, the camaraderie, the depth and breadth of knowledge, the broad
global perspective, the respectful airing of alternative views—it is all these things that characterize the members of AsMA that ranks
first on my list. Yes, I love the annual meeting, which offers so much to so many. But that is where I see all of you in a gathering that is
unparalleled. I read your work in the journal. I work with you on the Executive Committee, the Council, and the committees. Together we discuss,
address, and hope to solve some of the issues facing the field we love, aerospace medicine. It is the fellowship that I enjoy. What is fellowship?
Fellowship is:
- the condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences
- the companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms
- a close association of friend or equals sharing similar interests
- friendship, comradeship
Yes, upon reflection it is fellowship that most draws me to AsMA.
I have had the wonderful honor of serving as president of this diverse and yet unified organization. Being a member of
AsMA has enriched my life greatly, and I am grateful for that. I hope that we—your Executive Committee, your Council, your committees, your
Executive Director, your home office staff, and all who work hard throughout the year for AsMA—have served you well.
I look forward to many happy years as of a member of AsMA. I look forward to spirited dialogue about the challenges facing
aerospace medicine. I look forward to fellowship.
