Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists Kerala (1973–2021)

Abstract

From its humble beginnings, the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) Kerala, the first state branch of the IADVL, has grown in leaps and bounds. IADVL Kerala is not just the first branch. It also has several other firsts to its credit. The first annual conference of the association under the banner of the IADVL at Thiruvananthapuram in 1975 and the first South-Zone Regional Conference in 1990 at Kochi are some of the firsts. The state branch has always been at the forefront of all academic and IADVL activities. The branch undertakes community service projects and delivers information through print, radio, and visual media as a regular feature to increase patient and public awareness. Dermatology Clubs and Societies in different towns and cities are not only active academically, but are also socially committed. The continuing medical education series paved the way for the birth of the “Kerala Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology” which metamorphosed into the highly acclaimed “Journal of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases”, a great achievement indeed, destined to catch attention worldwide. The Kerala IADVL has had a glorious past. Kerala has produced some of the finest dermatologists and the tradition continues. We have as our wealth, a committed younger generation that has already made its presence felt in the national and international scenario. Since the inception of the Kerala branch, the committed office bearers who struggled selflessly with single-pointed devotion have been our asset. Activity levels have steadily soared to unimaginable heights.