History 

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Hepatology has been recognized as a discipline only in the last few decades, although biology of the liver captured interest long before. AASLD played a seminal and unifying role in focusing interest on hepatological problems, as well as the founding of other hepatological societies, which have contributed to the emergence of modern hepatology.

Following World War II, the Central Society for Clinical Research held its annual meeting in the Drake Hotel in Chicago around November 1st. Liver diseases presented exciting problems and opportunities in clinical investigations which stimulated informal exchange of ideas between the Central Society’s meeting attendees. The discussions evolved from informal gatherings in the hotel lobby to a meeting the day before the meeting of the Central Society. The congenial atmosphere facilitated by yearly get togethers of a small group contributed to the foundation of AASLD.

In March, 1950, AASLD was legally incorporated in the state of Illinois. For many years, the expenses of the still small group were carried by the institutions of the Secretary and/or Treasurer. For a considerable time, AASLD represented a remarkable spirit of friendship and familiarity, but little thought was given to the development of hepatology as a distinct discipline.

In the late sixties, the social impact of liver diseases emphasized and included alcoholism and drug addiction, and the influence of poverty and malnutrition on incidence and causes of liver disease. The Association assumed a new concern with teaching. In 1974, during AASLD’s 25th Anniversary, the first major postgraduate course was inaugurated. AASLD also organized the American Liver Foundation to educate the public to recognize and prevent liver diseases. And HEPATOLOGY, AASLD’s official journal, was founded as a national and international publication encompassing important clinical, pathological, and basic liver-related research.

AASLD’s combined concern with research, patient care, and medical and public education created a committee structure which widened participation in the Association’s activities. The day-to-day administration of AASLD’s growing programs has taken it from the Association’s volunteer Secretary’s and/or Treasurer’s office, to a stand alone office staffed by 25+ association management professionals.

Founded by a small group of leading liver specialists (including Hans Popper, Leon Schiff, Fred Hoffbauer, Cecil Watson, Jesse Bollman, and Sheila Sherlock, to name a few) with the objective of bringing together those who had contributed to the field of hepatology, AASLD has grown to an international society responsible for all aspects of hepatology; and its meetings have grown in attendance from 12 to over 7,500 physicians, surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals from around the world presenting papers and discussing their latest efforts and findings in the study and treatment of liver disease.

Times have changed and the study of liver diseases is expanding each day, but one thing remains the same -- AASLD's mission to advance the science and practice of hepatology.

This historical overview of the Association was compiled from the following sources:
Hepatology, Vol. 2, No. 6, pp. 874-878, 1982, Popper
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) News, pp.6-7, May 2000, Boyer
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) News, pp. 6-7, October 2000, Tavill