Section 2 - BACKGROUND

2.1 HISTORY

The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) was founded in 1954, six years after the establishment of the American Board of Preventive Medicine. ACPM is the professional society comprising physicians who are Board certified and/or engaged in the practice of preventive medicine. The membership includes over 2,000 individuals.

ACPM Past Presidents
1954 George A. Dame, MD
1955 J.W.R. Norton, MD
1956 Charles F. Sutton, MD
1957 Ernest L. Stebbins, MD
1958 V.A. Van Bolkenburgh, MD
1959 Louis C. Kossuth, MD
1960 James H. Sterner, MD
1961 John D. Portnefield, MD
1962 Oliver K. Niess, MD
1963 D. John Lauer, MD
1964 Lenor S. Goereke, MD
1965 John J. Wright, MD
1966 Harold V. Ellingson, MD
1967 Jean S. Felton, MD
1968 Charles L. Wilbar, Jr., MD
1969 Alfred R. Stumpe, MD
1970 Katharine Boucot Sturgis, MD
1971 William P. Richardson, MD
1972 Lee B. Grant, MD
1973 Charles A. Berry, MD
1974 Kurt W. Dueschle, MD
1975 Mary C. McLaughlin, MD
1976 Irving B. Tabershaw, MD
1977 Howard B. Unger, MD
1978 Charles B. Arnold, MD
1979 H. Bruce Dull, MD
1979-1981 O. Bruce Dickerson, MD
1981-1983 Jefferson C. Davis, MD
1983-1985 M. Alfred Haynes, MD
1985-1987 George E. Pickett, MD
1987-1989 John M. Last, MD
1989-1991 F. Douglas Scutchfield, MD
1991-1993 Suzanne E. Dandoy, MD
1993-1995 Roy L. DeHart, MD
1995-1997 Hugh H. Tilson, MD
1997-1999 Jonathan Fielding, MD
1999-2001 George Anderson, MD
2001-2003 Dorothy S. Lane, MD
2003-2005 Robert G. Harmon, MD

The American College of Preventive Medicine is the professional organization of physician specialists who practice preventive medicine. ACPM advances the science and practice of disease prevention and health promotion. ACPM provides leadership in research, professional education, development of public policy and enhancement of standards for preventive medicine.

Short Version: Providing leadership in disease prevention and health promotion.

Alternate Description: The American College of Preventive Medicine is the national medical society of physicians whose primary interest and expertise are in disease prevention and health promotion. Specialists in preventive medicine are uniquely trained in both clinical medicine and public health. They have the skills needed to understand and reduce the risks of disease, disability and death in individuals and in population groups. Physicians trained in preventive medicine work in public health and community agencies, in health care delivery organizations and systems, in primary care settings, in workplaces, and in academia. The College membership constitutes a major national resource of expertise in disease prevention and health promotion, areas vital to protecting and improving the nation’s health.

• Providing educational opportunities for its members.
• Advocating public policies consistent with scientific principles of the discipline.
• Participating in national forums to address important professional and policy concerns.
• Communicating developments in the specialty through a peer-reviewed journal, newsletter, and other timely publications.

2.4  STRATEGIC PLAN

ACPM has a strategic plan.  The Board of Regents is responsible for its development, approval, review and updating.  The Plan is reviewed  at intervals of no longer than five years.