Journal of Pediatric Surgery

VOL 32, NO 11 NOVEMBER 1997

The First Stephen L. Gans Memorial Lecture: Opening Remarks

Elizabeth Gans, Marshall Schwartz, and Keijiro Suruga

I T IS AN HONOR for me to be President of the Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons (PAPS) at the time

of the initiation of the first Gans Lecture. This day is especially important because we have present this morn- ing Liz Gans, Steve’s wife, and two of their sons, Gary and John.

I first met Dr Stephen Gans nearly 20 years ago. I had just finished my Pediatric Surgery training. Little did I know that I would come to admire him so and become involved in the Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons.

Throughout his career, Steve Gans received much recognition and many honors from every major Pediatric Surgical organization in the world including the COE Medal from PAPS in 1990. Steve’s career was high- lighted by innovative ideas and new medical concepts. In short, Steve was a pioneer! He was pediatric surgery’s earliest proponent of minimally invasive surgery, fibreop- tic endoscopy and laparoscopy. He was the driving force that developed the Journal of Pediatric Surgery. Steve initiated the formation of PAPS, was the first President, and was one of the most regular attendees and contribu- tors until his untimely death in 1994.

It would be a great oversight not to recognize Liz

Gans’ contributions to PAPS’ development which is why it is so meaningful to have her here today. Steve and Liz clearly demonstrated the friendship and exemplified the camaraderie of PAPS.

After Dr Gans’ death, there was a groundswell of support for the creation of the Gans Lectureship as an annual event at the PAPS meeting. In deciding who would be the most appropriate first lecturer, it seemed only logical to choose the individual who was in atten- dance at the inception of the Association and had similar thoughts about an international Pediatric Surgery organi- zation representing the Pacific Community.

Dr Keijiro Suruga of Tokyo Japan graciously accepted our invitation. His contributions to pediatric surgery are internationally known, and he has been honored all over the world. He served as the fourth PAPS President and received the COE medal in 1988--the highest honor bestowed by PAPS. Dr Suruga is a pioneer of pediatric surgery in Japan, has authored more than 250 papers, and continues to be an international Ambassador in the field of Pediatric Surgery.

Throughout the years, Dr Suruga maintained a close relationship with Steve and Liz Gans and has also been a

JournalofPediatricSurgery,Vol 32, No 11 (November). 1997: pp 1531-1532 1531

1532 MARSHALL 2. SCHWARTZ

strong and vigorous supporter of PAPS throughout its 30 year existence.

I have had the great privilege of knowing Professor

Keijiro Suruga to you as the first PAPS Stephen L. Gans Lecturer.

Suruga for the past 10 years and marvel at his eternal Marshall Z. Schwartz, MD youth, personal vigor, and constant desire for new know- President ledge. It is a great honor for me to introduce Professor Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons