- Email: [email protected]
History of the Albert H. Ketcham Award
606
Am. J. Orthodontics August, 1957
EDITORIAL
Dewey wrote so many years ago were twofold : (1) that the patient must come first and (2) that the doctor-patient relationship was often being replaced by what might be called, for want of a better name, “a mechanized prejudice on the part of most orthodontists of that period.” The main trouble, after all, seems to be that there is much in orthodontics, by the very nature of our specialty, that makes for mechanistic thinking and wide divergence of mechanistic methods, notwithstanding that there is no problem which ordinary courtesy and the basic tenets as set forth in the Oath of Hippocrates cannot very easily solve. Such were the impressions that might have been received by anyone who listened to the round-table discussion on the question of transferral of cases at the annual meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists in New Orleans in May, 1957. II. c. P. HISTORY
OF TIIE ALRRRT
II. KETCHAM
AWARD
T
HE contributions of Dr. Albert H. Ketcham to the art and science of orthodontics will live on as a memorial to his memory. The motto “service His life was dedicated to the probefore self” was never better exemplified. motion of human welfare through the advancement and perfection of the orthodontic specialty. His death on Dec. 6, 1935, was a great loss not only to his many personal friends, but also to the orthodontic specialty which lost one of its most dedicated and hardest workers of all time; however, his influence lives on.
To honor the memory of this great leader, to perpetuate his contributions, and to stimulate further research in his chosen field of endeavor, the American Board of Orthodontics, in collaboration with the American Association of Orthodontics, in 1936 established the Albert H. Ketcham Memorial. Because of his broad understanding, his unselfish devotion to duty, and the high goal of attainment he set for himself and for his feIlow specialists, Dr. Ketcham’s place in our specialty stands high in the annals of human endeavor and successful achievement. No man ever gave more generously of his time, effort, and ability for the achievement of the specialty than did Dr. Ketcham. Handicapped as he was for forty years by many disabilities, he never faltered in his exacting labor, nor did his interest lag. He was devoted to research designed to increase the skill and understanding needed to improve his specialty and thereby contribute to the health and happiness of mankind. The high esteem in which he was held by his colleagues is attested by the fact that he was elected the first president of the American Board of Orthodontics. He held this position from the inception of the Board in 1929 and continued as a member of the Board until his death. Prior to this recognition, he had been honored by election to the office of president of the American
~“llJwry
EDITORIAL
607
Association of Orthodontists. His vision, industry, wide experience, enthusiasm, and mature judgment and counsel did much to make the work of the Board a success. The following quotation is taken from the minutes of the American Association of Orthodontists : To commemorate Dr. Ketcham’s splendid achievements, and better still to prove an inspiration to the advancement of orthodontics, it is now proposed to set up a permanent memorial to be known as the “Albert H. Ketcham Medal,‘, this medal to be awarded annually to an orthodontist or other scientist who, in the judgment of the award committee, has made an outstanding contribution to the science and art of orthodontics during the then current year or during some previous year. The award committee will consist of three members of the American Board of Orthodontia and two members of the American Society of Orthodontists. A fund is accordingly being sought which, when invested in ultraconservative securities, will yield a sufficient sum of money to defray the annual cost of the medal. It is believed that all orthodontists will consider it a privilege to have a part in this memorial. Contributions may be sent to Dr. Charles R. Baker, 636 Church St., Evanston, Illinois. Oren A. Oliver B. Frank Gray Charles R. Baker Committee.
An item pertaining
to the Ketcham
Award was published subsequently in the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHODONTICS,at which time Editor H. C. Pollock mentioned the fact that the American Board of Orthodontics would establish a permanent memorial to be known as the Albert H. Ketcham Medal, to be awarded annually to the orthodontist or other scientist, who makes an outstanding contribution to the science and art of orthodontics. At the time of going to press, it was said that such a movement had been started and that information might be secured from B. Frank Gray, 450 Sutter St., San Francisco, California, or Oren A. Oliver of Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. B. Frank Gray possibly had more to do with setting up the Ketcham Award that did any other person ; however, the entire American Board of Orthodontics must be given credit for setting up this award during 1935 and 1936. It might be said that the start came from Dr. B. Frank Gray, Dr. Charles R. Baker, and possibly other men who had suggested the same to Dr. Gray; however, credit must be given to Dr. Gray as originator. At the meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists, held in St. Louis, April 20 to 23, 1936, the report of the American Board of Orthodontics had this to say : TO commemorate the splendid achievements of our late President, Dr. Albert H. Ketcham, and to serve as an inspiration to the advancement of orthodontics, the American Board of Orthodontia has created The Albert H. Ketcham Memorial. The material symbol of this Memorial shall consist of an illuminated parchment, appropriately inscribed, the same to be awarded annually (in perpetuity) to some orthodontist or other person who, in the judgment of the Award Committee, has made a notable contribution to the Science and Art of Orthodontics during the then current year or during some previous year.
608
EI)ITORIAI,
Am. J. Orthodontm August, 1957
The Award Committee shall consist of five members, namely, the President, President-elect, and the Vice-President of the American Society of Orthodontists, remaining two members to be appointed annually by the American Board of Orthodontics.
the the
TO defray the expense involved in the preparation and administration of this memorial, contributions are being received from the orthodontists of the United States and other countries. The aggregate sum so received shall be invested in high-grade securities or in an interest-bearing savings account, such investment to have the unanimous approval of the American Board of Orthodontics. Subscriptions may be sent to the Secretary of the Board. Oren A, Oliver President American Board of Orthodontics.
At the meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists, held in Chicago, Illinois, 1937, the first presentation of the Albert H. Ketcham Award, at the thirty-fifth annual session, was made by Dr. Frederic T. Murlless to Dr. John V. Mershon. ,The presentation by Dr. Murlless was very impressive and, in presenting this memorial, he gave a brief outline of our beloved Dr. Ketcham and the biographical survey of John Valentine Mershon. Dr. Mershon’s remarks in accepting the award were : “Dr. Ketcham has passed to the Great Beyond but he still lives in our hearts. Words are used to express ideas, but on this occasion they cannot convey one’s feelings. If I have done anything or given anything for the children of the world which would entitle me to this honor, I can only say that it was a gift of God which I was permitted to administer.” In 1938 B. Frank Gray, president of the American Board of Orthodontics, presented the award to Alfred P. Rogers of Boston, Massachusetts. Remarks were also made by Dr. Frank M. Casto, B. Frank Gray’s successor as president of the American Board of Orthodontics. The remarks in accepting the Award were very brief but of great significance. From that time up to the present, the Ketcham Award has been presented to the following seventeen outstanding members for their contributions to orthodontics : 1949 William K. Gregory 1937 John Valentine Mershon” 1938 Alfred Paul Rogers 1951 Benno E. Lischer 1952 James David McCoy 1939 Milo Hellman* 1940 George Wellington Grieve” 1953 Spencer R. Atkinson 1954 Charles Reeder Baker 1941 Frederick B. Noyes 1942 Harry E. Kelsey” 1955 Joseph E. Johnson 1944 B. Holly Broadbent 1956 Leuman M. Waugh 1946 Raymond Clair Willett* 1957 Oren A. Oliver 1948 Clinton C. Howard”
0. A. 0. *Deceased.
Am. J. Orthodontics August, 1957
EDITORIAL
Dewey wrote so many years ago were twofold : (1) that the patient must come first and (2) that the doctor-patient relationship was often being replaced by what might be called, for want of a better name, “a mechanized prejudice on the part of most orthodontists of that period.” The main trouble, after all, seems to be that there is much in orthodontics, by the very nature of our specialty, that makes for mechanistic thinking and wide divergence of mechanistic methods, notwithstanding that there is no problem which ordinary courtesy and the basic tenets as set forth in the Oath of Hippocrates cannot very easily solve. Such were the impressions that might have been received by anyone who listened to the round-table discussion on the question of transferral of cases at the annual meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists in New Orleans in May, 1957. II. c. P. HISTORY
OF TIIE ALRRRT
II. KETCHAM
AWARD
T
HE contributions of Dr. Albert H. Ketcham to the art and science of orthodontics will live on as a memorial to his memory. The motto “service His life was dedicated to the probefore self” was never better exemplified. motion of human welfare through the advancement and perfection of the orthodontic specialty. His death on Dec. 6, 1935, was a great loss not only to his many personal friends, but also to the orthodontic specialty which lost one of its most dedicated and hardest workers of all time; however, his influence lives on.
To honor the memory of this great leader, to perpetuate his contributions, and to stimulate further research in his chosen field of endeavor, the American Board of Orthodontics, in collaboration with the American Association of Orthodontics, in 1936 established the Albert H. Ketcham Memorial. Because of his broad understanding, his unselfish devotion to duty, and the high goal of attainment he set for himself and for his feIlow specialists, Dr. Ketcham’s place in our specialty stands high in the annals of human endeavor and successful achievement. No man ever gave more generously of his time, effort, and ability for the achievement of the specialty than did Dr. Ketcham. Handicapped as he was for forty years by many disabilities, he never faltered in his exacting labor, nor did his interest lag. He was devoted to research designed to increase the skill and understanding needed to improve his specialty and thereby contribute to the health and happiness of mankind. The high esteem in which he was held by his colleagues is attested by the fact that he was elected the first president of the American Board of Orthodontics. He held this position from the inception of the Board in 1929 and continued as a member of the Board until his death. Prior to this recognition, he had been honored by election to the office of president of the American
~“llJwry
EDITORIAL
607
Association of Orthodontists. His vision, industry, wide experience, enthusiasm, and mature judgment and counsel did much to make the work of the Board a success. The following quotation is taken from the minutes of the American Association of Orthodontists : To commemorate Dr. Ketcham’s splendid achievements, and better still to prove an inspiration to the advancement of orthodontics, it is now proposed to set up a permanent memorial to be known as the “Albert H. Ketcham Medal,‘, this medal to be awarded annually to an orthodontist or other scientist who, in the judgment of the award committee, has made an outstanding contribution to the science and art of orthodontics during the then current year or during some previous year. The award committee will consist of three members of the American Board of Orthodontia and two members of the American Society of Orthodontists. A fund is accordingly being sought which, when invested in ultraconservative securities, will yield a sufficient sum of money to defray the annual cost of the medal. It is believed that all orthodontists will consider it a privilege to have a part in this memorial. Contributions may be sent to Dr. Charles R. Baker, 636 Church St., Evanston, Illinois. Oren A. Oliver B. Frank Gray Charles R. Baker Committee.
An item pertaining
to the Ketcham
Award was published subsequently in the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHODONTICS,at which time Editor H. C. Pollock mentioned the fact that the American Board of Orthodontics would establish a permanent memorial to be known as the Albert H. Ketcham Medal, to be awarded annually to the orthodontist or other scientist, who makes an outstanding contribution to the science and art of orthodontics. At the time of going to press, it was said that such a movement had been started and that information might be secured from B. Frank Gray, 450 Sutter St., San Francisco, California, or Oren A. Oliver of Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. B. Frank Gray possibly had more to do with setting up the Ketcham Award that did any other person ; however, the entire American Board of Orthodontics must be given credit for setting up this award during 1935 and 1936. It might be said that the start came from Dr. B. Frank Gray, Dr. Charles R. Baker, and possibly other men who had suggested the same to Dr. Gray; however, credit must be given to Dr. Gray as originator. At the meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists, held in St. Louis, April 20 to 23, 1936, the report of the American Board of Orthodontics had this to say : TO commemorate the splendid achievements of our late President, Dr. Albert H. Ketcham, and to serve as an inspiration to the advancement of orthodontics, the American Board of Orthodontia has created The Albert H. Ketcham Memorial. The material symbol of this Memorial shall consist of an illuminated parchment, appropriately inscribed, the same to be awarded annually (in perpetuity) to some orthodontist or other person who, in the judgment of the Award Committee, has made a notable contribution to the Science and Art of Orthodontics during the then current year or during some previous year.
608
EI)ITORIAI,
Am. J. Orthodontm August, 1957
The Award Committee shall consist of five members, namely, the President, President-elect, and the Vice-President of the American Society of Orthodontists, remaining two members to be appointed annually by the American Board of Orthodontics.
the the
TO defray the expense involved in the preparation and administration of this memorial, contributions are being received from the orthodontists of the United States and other countries. The aggregate sum so received shall be invested in high-grade securities or in an interest-bearing savings account, such investment to have the unanimous approval of the American Board of Orthodontics. Subscriptions may be sent to the Secretary of the Board. Oren A, Oliver President American Board of Orthodontics.
At the meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists, held in Chicago, Illinois, 1937, the first presentation of the Albert H. Ketcham Award, at the thirty-fifth annual session, was made by Dr. Frederic T. Murlless to Dr. John V. Mershon. ,The presentation by Dr. Murlless was very impressive and, in presenting this memorial, he gave a brief outline of our beloved Dr. Ketcham and the biographical survey of John Valentine Mershon. Dr. Mershon’s remarks in accepting the award were : “Dr. Ketcham has passed to the Great Beyond but he still lives in our hearts. Words are used to express ideas, but on this occasion they cannot convey one’s feelings. If I have done anything or given anything for the children of the world which would entitle me to this honor, I can only say that it was a gift of God which I was permitted to administer.” In 1938 B. Frank Gray, president of the American Board of Orthodontics, presented the award to Alfred P. Rogers of Boston, Massachusetts. Remarks were also made by Dr. Frank M. Casto, B. Frank Gray’s successor as president of the American Board of Orthodontics. The remarks in accepting the Award were very brief but of great significance. From that time up to the present, the Ketcham Award has been presented to the following seventeen outstanding members for their contributions to orthodontics : 1949 William K. Gregory 1937 John Valentine Mershon” 1938 Alfred Paul Rogers 1951 Benno E. Lischer 1952 James David McCoy 1939 Milo Hellman* 1940 George Wellington Grieve” 1953 Spencer R. Atkinson 1954 Charles Reeder Baker 1941 Frederick B. Noyes 1942 Harry E. Kelsey” 1955 Joseph E. Johnson 1944 B. Holly Broadbent 1956 Leuman M. Waugh 1946 Raymond Clair Willett* 1957 Oren A. Oliver 1948 Clinton C. Howard”
0. A. 0. *Deceased.