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By Joseph E. Paris, MD
As one of the old-timers, I am frequently asked by newer members what it was it like when we began. With the SCP now counting 14 years of growth, this is a good time to tell the story for the younger generation. The SCP began as a dream of Armond Start, a visionary correctional physician who passed away unexpectedly in 2000. Armond had been the Medical Director of the Oklahoma DOC, a post that he also held later on in the Texas and the Wisconsin DOC. To prepare this review, I had the privilege of looking at a summary of SCP events Armond Start wrote in 1997.
The Beginning
Armond envisioned an organization for the representation of and as a forum for correctional physicians. He began working as its secretary, and enlisted the support of Ron Shansky, the former Illinois DOC Medical Director and a longtime consultant in correctional health care. Under the banner of the National Center for Correctional Health Care Studies, an organization Armond created, a memorandum was mailed in August of 1992 to 1700 correctional physicians in the NCCHC's MD mailing list. The memo announced an organizational meeting for these interested, to be held during the annual NCCHC meeting in Chicago on September 25, 1992. At the meeting, Armond and Ron met with about thirty correctional doctors willing to participate and pay $35.00 in dues.
I was present at that meeting, but I do not recall all the other participants. I know that that Armond Start, Ron Shansky, Steve Spencer, Joe Goldenson, Arthur Raines, Donald Potts and myself were there. I apologize for not remembering all the charter members. With only a few members, incipient bylaws, no business site, and very little cash, the startup was rough. To get us going, Armond chipped in $1,000.00 of his own money. I think we eventually returned the seed money to him but I am not sure.
By March 12, 1993, at another national meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, the SCP had 81 dues-paying members. About half of these attended. A mail-in ballot was circulated on April 1, 1993 for the approval of the bylaws and constitution Armond had drafted and the election of the first slate of officers. Ron Shansky was elected first president. Arthur Raines was secretary, Armond Start was treasurer, and there was an editorial board consisting of Joe Goldenson, James Hipkens, and Donald Potts. By the next meeting, September 20, 1993, in Orlando, Florida, the SCP was well underway and offered an both an educational program and a business meeting. During the formative years, some of the biggest challenges were instituting processes and government structures such as committees able to propel the Society forward. So much depended and still depends on the President and the Board. Where there was strong leadership, the Society made great leaps forward. At other times, it just maintained the status quo. This is why committees and member involvement are so important.
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As one of the old-timers, I am frequently asked by newer members what it was it like when we began. With the SCP now counting 14 years of growth, this is a good time to tell the story for the younger generation. The SCP began as a dream of Armond Start, a visionary correctional physician who passed away unexpectedly in 2000. Armond had been the Medical Director of the Oklahoma DOC, a post that he also held later on in the Texas and the Wisconsin DOC. To prepare this review, I had the privilege of looking at a summary of SCP events Armond Start wrote in 1997.
The Beginning
Armond envisioned an organization for the representation of and as a forum for correctional physicians. He began working as its secretary, and enlisted the support of Ron Shansky, the former Illinois DOC Medical Director and a longtime consultant in correctional health care. Under the banner of the National Center for Correctional Health Care Studies, an organization Armond created, a memorandum was mailed in August of 1992 to 1700 correctional physicians in the NCCHC's MD mailing list. The memo announced an organizational meeting for these interested, to be held during the annual NCCHC meeting in Chicago on September 25, 1992. At the meeting, Armond and Ron met with about thirty correctional doctors willing to participate and pay $35.00 in dues.
I was present at that meeting, but I do not recall all the other participants. I know that that Armond Start, Ron Shansky, Steve Spencer, Joe Goldenson, Arthur Raines, Donald Potts and myself were there. I apologize for not remembering all the charter members. With only a few members, incipient bylaws, no business site, and very little cash, the startup was rough. To get us going, Armond chipped in $1,000.00 of his own money. I think we eventually returned the seed money to him but I am not sure.
By March 12, 1993, at another national meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, the SCP had 81 dues-paying members. About half of these attended. A mail-in ballot was circulated on April 1, 1993 for the approval of the bylaws and constitution Armond had drafted and the election of the first slate of officers. Ron Shansky was elected first president. Arthur Raines was secretary, Armond Start was treasurer, and there was an editorial board consisting of Joe Goldenson, James Hipkens, and Donald Potts. By the next meeting, September 20, 1993, in Orlando, Florida, the SCP was well underway and offered an both an educational program and a business meeting. During the formative years, some of the biggest challenges were instituting processes and government structures such as committees able to propel the Society forward. So much depended and still depends on the President and the Board. Where there was strong leadership, the Society made great leaps forward. At other times, it just maintained the status quo. This is why committees and member involvement are so important.
Next >>
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