PROJECT BIONICS

Meeting Notes

Re:                              Project Bionics Meeting at ASAIO 50th Anniversary Meeting, Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC

Date:                           June 17, 2004 – 5:30 to 7:00 in Thoroughbred Room

Participants:                R. Bartlett, J.Kantrowitz, S.Phillips, A.Ciarkowski, G.Pantalos, D.Olsen, L.Golding, J.Chelnick, J.Watson, B.Chiang, S.McKellar, M.Kurusz, Y.Nose, P.Malchesky, P.Portner, R.Kondratas, C.Kjellstrand, R.Chan.

 

Regrets:                     P.Theerman, K.Burke, M. Beyer, E. Friedman, B.Hattler, W.Murphy, G.Rainer, W.Richenbacher.

 Special Guests:      W.Kolff, H.Broers, J.W.Jacobze

 

1.0          Welcome – R.Bartlett

 

 

2.0          ASAIO Scholar’s Report for 2003-2004 – S.McKellar

 

Before the meeting, S.McKellar distributed by email her ASAIO Scholar’s Report for 2003-2004.  She thanked and congratulated the Work Group on the many 50th Anniversary activities underway at the meeting including:

 

o        ASAIO Gold Volume

o        Historical program component as part of the 2004 ASAIO meeting

o        Evening at the Smithsonian – Friday, June 18

o        Project Bionics Display Table at ASAIO meeting

 

S.McKellar participated in the historical programming by offering a short paper based on a review of the ASAIO Presidential Addresses.  S.McKellar also arranged for videotaping of all historical papers presented at the meeting, which included obtaining signatures of each speaker on a Speaker Release Form.  These tapes will be deposited in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Archives and the National Library of Medicine’s History of Medicine Division collections.

 

S.McKellar requested that Work Group members offer their commentary on past historical events by filling out the distributed post cards.  These responses will be posted online via the Project Bionics website and hopefully will encourage additional online responses.  S.McKellar collected 19 cards.

 

Discussion followed regarding the Gold Volume.  Y.Nose suggested that an improved version of the Gold Volume be printed which would include better quality photos and a different cover.  C.Kjellstrand suggested that earlier field developments be included in timeline. R.Kondratas suggested that the Gold Volume on hand be circulated to founding members for their signature.  S.McKellar and R.Bartlett followed up on that by arranging the signing of founding members and past presidents on 50 copies of the Gold Volume.  Signed copies were donated to both the Smithsonian and the National Library of Medicine.

 

Discussion followed regarding the planned Smithsonian Historical Event / Reception.  S.McKellar reported that all arrangements were well in hand, with 425 people confirmed to attend.  R.Bartlett thanked R.Kondratas and J.Chelnick for their willingness and effort in mounting a special display for attendees.  It was agreed that all speakers would announce the event to encourage attendance.

 

 

3.0          Willem Kolff Foundation – J.W.Jacobze, H.Boers

 

Chairman J.W.Jacobze and Executive Director H.Boers offered a short presentation on their goals and activities of the Willem Kolff Foundation, which includes a museum and annual festival, in Kampen, The Netherlands.  They thanked Project Bionics for facilitated their participation at the ASAIO meeting.  Information about the Kolff Foundation can be found at:  http://www.willemkolffstichting.nl

 

          W.Kolff added to this presentation by recounting his first attempts at dialysis during

WWII in Kampen.

 

          H.Boers then presented Project Bionics with a copy of his biography of W.Kolff

(written in Dutch) as well as a poster and video relating to the Kolff Foundation. 

S.McKellar accepted these gifts on behalf of Project Bionics, and will deposit them at

the Smithsonian.

 

 

4.0          Future Activities

 

J.Watson inquired about the status of the Pioneer Interview Series.  Project Bionics has conducted only one video interview to date (W.Kolff interview by J.Watson in October 2001).   There remains funding to conduct several more.  It was suggested that planning advance for a video interview with A.Kantrowitz and R.Bartlett in Detroit and Ann Arbor respectively.  Other suggested interviews include:  P.Teschan, P.Doolan, Y.Nose.

 

J.Kantrowitz directed discussion towards future activities for Project Bionics.  She suggested that a sub-committee might be struck to focus on “history-in-the-making.”  That is, with a current focus, this group can identify current research (both experimental and clinical) that is ground-breaking and potentially historically significant and thus Project Bionics can proactively document history as it is being made.

 

S.Phillips suggested a sub-committee could also be formed for outreach activities.  This sub-committee might ensure that proper information regarding artificial organs is collected and made available to the public.  He discussed what the National Library of Medicine is doing with Medline Plus and the provision of medical information for the educated public.

 

 

5.0          Adjournment