President's Report on the First Annual Meeting
of the Iowa Physiological Society, 1996

The first scientific meeting of the Iowa Physiological Society was held in conjunction with the Iowa Academy of Science, Physiology Section, at Simpson College on April 26-27, 1996. The combined meetings included 22 abstracts by physiologists from seven separate institutions. The Iowa Physiological Society General Session was especially well-attended and very positive. The posters were busy for almost the entire two-hour session, and virtually all participants took the opportunity to fully review each. A buffet lunch was provided by physiologists from the University of Osteopathic Medicine. By the end of the meeting, membership totaled 35.

Brian R. Duling, a former APS president, spoke at a special session sponsored by the American Physiological Society. The lecture was entitled, "Is There a Lumen in Capillaries? From Exercise Physiology to Endothelial Cell Glycocalyx." Duling discussed the role of the glycocalyx in determining capillary hematocrit and its relation to tissue oxygen delivery from discovery through the latest advances and theories. Duling's talk was well-received by the membership.

The business meeting opened with greetings from the American Physiological Society by Duling, who also emphasized the importance of local chapters in the educational process and in maintaining support for the sciences. The President, Richard McCabe, discussed the Articles of Incorporation which had been filed with the Secretary of State of Iowa on behalf of the Iowa Physiological Society for nonprofit corporate status. The President also introduced the proposed bylaws, based on the Ohio Physiological Society bylaws provided by Peter Lauf. Final amendments were made, and the bylaws were adopted at this time. Donald Stratton of Drake University was elected to the office of President-Elect. At the close of the meeting, Charles Wunder assumed the office of President and Richard McCabe assumed the office of Past President.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who assisted in forming The Iowa Physiological Society over the past two years. I am especially indebted to Luke Mortensen, who cheerfully accepted and capably accomplished every task asked of him and more. I want to thank the American Physiological Society for their foresight in providing the mechanism and funds to get us off the ground. I hope that The Iowa Physiological Society will continue to prosper and become a key catalyst and agent for the benefit of physiology and related sciences throughout Iowa and the surrounding region.

Respectfully Submitted
Richard D. McCabe, Ph.D.
Past-President, Iowa Physiological Society
June 17, 1996