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2007 Senior Physiologists Committee Report
Seven senior physiologists (Charles Tipton, Harvey Sparks, Julio Cruz,
Ronald Freeman, Virendra Mahesh, Vernon Bishop, and Beverly Bishop) comprise
the Senior Physiologists Committee. One of the primary duties of each
Committee member is to “develop and maintain liaison with emeritus members
and members about to retire.” This liaison is accomplished by submitting, on
behalf of the Society, a personal 70th, 80th, 90th,
or 100th birthday greeting. Thus, each committee member makes
about three dozen mailings in the course of the year.
Each greeting includes an invitation for the senior recipient to
inform APS about his current activities, interests and whereabouts, and
requests “words of wisdom” for younger colleagues. The historical and
philosophical commentaries evoked by this invitation provide the material
subsequently published in “Senior Physiologists’ News” in each The
Physiologist. There were 20 response letters printed. Responses from
recipients of these birthday greetings are extremely positive and
enthusiastic. Whether retired or still
working in their labs, the majority of seniors obviously retain their
passion for science. They express in innumerable ways how fulfilling they
have found life.
Another responsibility of the Senior Physiologists Committee is to review
applications and recommend to Council the annual awardees of the $500 G.
Edgar Folk, Jr., Senior Physiologists Award. This award is designed to
support the scientific activities of a senior member. The award was granted
to two seniors in 2006.
More recently the Senior Committee has been charged to “be alert to senior
physiologists who have written autobiographic or historic accounts of
interest to physiologists.” This activity is in concert with the recently
stated goals of the APS Living History of Physiology.
Beverly P. Bishop, Chair
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