DR. John H. Moe Exhibit

DR. MOE LED THE FORMATION OF THE SCOLIOSIS RESEARCH SOCIETY (SRS) and served as its president for the society’s first three years. [4] In 1957, while serving as the director for the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Moe made annual symposia in orthopaedic surgery part of the curricula. The symposia, which typically lasted three days, were offered as a part of the continuing courses in medical education at the university. As the Scoliosis Service at Gillette Hospital developed and as his name became known, Dr. Moe set out to concentrate these symposia into courses on the treatment of scoliosis. [3]

As Dr. Moe later wrote, “the course was well received by a relatively large number of orthopaedic surgeons from all parts of the United States, all of whom were enthusiastic in their questions and discussion of scoliosis.” [6]

Toward the end of the course, during a roundtable discussion of scoliosis moderated by Dr. Moe, it was proposed by Dr. David B. Levine that a group of orthopaedic surgeons interested in scoliosis could benefit themselves and others if they were to form a national organization devoted to the study of the spinal deformity. [6]

From his position on the podium, Dr. Moe “heartily approved of this thoughtful suggestion” and asked Dr. Levine to draw up a preliminary constitution for such a club.[6] In turn, Dr. Harrington (SRS President, 1973) said he would personally donate $1,000.00 to help organize it.

Shortly thereafter, letters were sent from the University of Minnesota Division of Orthopaedic Surgery to a number of orthopaedic surgeons throughout the country asking for their opinion and advice regarding the establishment of a “scoliosis club,” a name which had been suggested by Dr. Philip D. Wilson, Sr., whose advice Dr. Levine had sought. The response was overwhelmingly favorable.[6] Through correspondence, it was then proposed that an organizational meeting be held on January 22, 1966, at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois, during the 33rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. During this meeting, the constitution that Dr. Levine had drafted was reviewed, and revisions were proposed. The following officers also were appointed:

President — John H. Moe, MD
Vice President — John E. Hall, MD
Secretary and Treasurer — William J. Kane, MD
Executive Committee — William J. Kane, MD, William F. Donaldson, MD, Louis A. Goldstein, MD, Paul R. Harrington, MD, David B. Levine, MD, Jacqueline Perry, MD

The name ”NORTH AMERICAN SCOLIOSIS ASSOCIATION” was selected for the club. A meeting of the executive committee was then arranged for the following day, January 23, 1966, during which further consideration was given to the constitution and the name was changed to the “SCOLIOSIS RESEARCH SOCIETY” in order to:

• Stimulate an interest in scoliosis within the medical profession
• Promote the exchange of ideas related to the causes and treatment of scoliosis
• Standardize scoliosis terminology
• Establish a foundation for clinical and investigational research in scoliosis [6]

According to Dr. William J. Kane (SRS Secretary and Treasurer, 1966–1970), to become a “research society,” in the truest sense of those words, rather than an exclusive club was “the most important and crucial decision that the founders of the SRS ever made.” [7]

The committee planned to have the revised constitution ratified by two thirds of the members present at the first annual meeting of the society. [6] The date for this meeting was set for June 10–11, 1966.

The meeting was held in Minneapolis at Diehl Hall, located in the Bio-Medical Library at the University of Minnesota. Sessions on the constitution, scoliosis terminology and evaluation filled the morning of June 10. The afternoon was devoted to five technical presentations and a movie. [7]

On June 11, the day was consumed by business meetings and a continuation of the sessions from the day before. The meeting attracted 35 participants from all over North America.

Over the next two decades, the Scoliosis Research Society became instrumental in disseminating knowledge and standardizing treatment. SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION, THE SOCIETY’S MEMBERSHIP HAS BECOME TRULY INTERNATIONAL. [2]