F. Bayard Carter , MD
Professor and Chair
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1931-1964
HISTORY OF THE F. BAYARD CARTER SOCIETY
In September 1951, fifteen former residents of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Duke School of Medicine met in Durham, North Carolina and organized the F. Bayard Carter Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Better known as the “Nick Carter Travel Club”, the Society is composed of house officers, fellows and faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke. Dr. F. Bayard Carter was the first Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University (1931-1964). In 1969, an endowment was funded to the level of professorship in honor of Dr. F. Bayard Carter. The constitution denotes, “The purpose of the Society shall be the promotion of scientific knowledge by assembly and interchange of ideas and practice related particularly to obstetrics and gynecology.” Every fourth year the Society returns to Duke to renew old ties and to observe progress.
Within a few years of formation, the members of the Society recognized their obligation to promote the growth of the department. Some of these include:
1. The establishment of a residency loan fund to permit worthwhile trainees to continue their education in the face of financial hardships.
2. Support of laboratories in the department.
3. Establishment of three professorships in the department, named for three senior faculty members (two of whom were chairs) - The F. Bayard Carter Professorship, the Walter L. Thomas Professorship, and the Roy T. Parker Professorship. Funded from personal resources and that of patients, these three professorships now total over $2 million in endowment for the department. They are now involved in helping to fund the Departmental Research Fund (Hammond Fund).
4. The Society has provided portraits of the first three chairs of the department, Dr. Carter, Dr. Parker and Dr. Hammond, which still hang in the chairman’s office area today.
This gathering is designed to promote the legacy of Dr. Carter and the proud heritage of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology which is steeped in history and excellence.
Each year the President of the Carter Society participates in our annual Residents’ Day as a judge, and many members have come back to teach or to host various functions for the residents so they may get a “glimpse” of what the Carter Society could mean to them.
It is important that we remember our heritage and those who worked so hard to help perpetuate the high quality and activities of the department. We are one of the very few departments in the United States who have such a significant group of individuals who are invested in their department.
We are very excited about the 2009 Carter Society meeting! It is to be held this fall in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains at the Wintergreen Resort just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. As a reminder the dates are October 22 thru October 25, 2009, please mark your calendars. Compared to most medical meetings the cost should be considerably less and the fun considerably more. We want this to be a family event as there are things to do for all ages, as well as ample childcare facilities and baby sitting, so plan to bring kids and grandkids!
To date the contract has been signed and we have secured a room rate in the lodge of $144/night. There are additional properties reserved for those that want larger accommodations such as mountaintop condos, homes etc. The entire resort is served by an on demand shuttle service. We have rented a large mountain home that will serve as the hospitality house. This will also be the site of the Thursday meetings and the evening reception that will include a casual buffet dinner, bar, and live music. It is an easy walk or shuttle ride from the lodge.
The scientific sessions will be at the lodge on Friday and Saturday mornings and a fantastic program is being put together by Bill Herbert. Friday afternoon activities will include either free time to enjoy the fall in the Blue Ridge; for those interested a bus trip to Mr. Jefferson's Monticello, or possibly a tour of some of the many local wineries.
Friday evening will include a casual family barbeque with some story telling, fantastic blue grass, and maybe a little history lesson or two. To accommodate families this will be relatively early followed by continued festivities at our house.
Saturday we will leave the afternoon open for the multiple fall activities at the resort where there is tennis, golf, swimming, horseback riding, hiking, a fantastic spa, and many other activities. Or you can explore Charlottesville and the surrounding area. We would like the evening to be a bit non-traditional and forgo the black tie event. Instead, we will ride party buses down the mountain into the historic Shenandoah Valley for a delicious dinner, to be followed by an entertaining and authentic Shakespearian experience at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Despite the economy we are expecting a large turnout, because of the proximity to the Triangle, as well as the “back-dues forgiveness initiative” discussed at the last business meeting. Again, this will hopefully get some old members back and some new members to come! In addition I am working with Laverne in Haywood's office to get contact information in order to personally invite the graduates of the last 20 years or so. We are making every effort to keep this affordable while maintaining the high standards of past meetings and sincerely believe that we can and will be able to do it! Finally, given the location and cost we want to encourage our younger members and their families to attend. Indeed, they are the bridge to our future!
More details will follow but for right now we just wanted to give everyone an update!
Thanks,
John Schmitt
President, F. Bayard Carter Society, Duke University
Photos from 2008 meeting
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