ISIM 1948-2008
60 Years

The International Society of Internal Medicine (ISIM) was founded in 1948 in Basle, Switzerland. Its purpose is to promote scientific knowledge and unity in Internal Medicine, to further the education of young internists and to encourage friendship between physicians in all countries.

Membership to ISIM is of three types: Society Membership, Individual Membership, and Honorary Membership. Today, ISIM comprises the national societies of Internal Medicine of 57 different countries throughout the whole world as Society Members. The largest Society Members are the American College of Physicians, the Royal College of Physicians, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and the Russian Society of Internal Medicine.

The main activity of ISIM is the organization of the biannual International Congress of Internal Medicine. The last few congresses took place in Kyoto, Japan (2002), Granada, Spain (2004) and Taipei, Taiwan (2006).  The future congresses will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008) and  Melbourne, Australia (2010).

The International Congresses of Internal Medicine always were outstanding events with a large attendance from the whole world. Especially when located in countries not privileged with easy international scientific exchange the congresses give a very welcome opportunity to see and hear leading experts from all countries of the world.

In a time when International Medicine is threatened by the defection of its subspecialities, ISIM tries to strengthen its position as an eminent integrating part of the health sciences.

The activities of ISIM are managed by an Executive Committee, which consists of eleven members representing ten countries.