Readers urge action on issues

I agree with Dr. Doug Nuelle (March/April 2007 AAOS Now) that we are all helpless and defenseless in the marketplace controlled by government and large insurance companies. A solution is to level the playing field (marketplace) by exempting physicians from the Taft-Hartley Act restrictions on collective bargaining. Rather than drop all insurance, I would prefer grouping together and negotiating fair payment for our valuable services.

A hospital—and hope—for poor South Africans

Peter Pollack

Winner of 2002 Humanitarian Award continues his efforts in the Transkei Many orthopaedic surgeons donate large amounts of their time, but few choose to undertake the lifelong commitment to assisting those in an underdeveloped region that Charles C.P. “Chris” McConnachie, MD, has. Winner of the 2002 AAOS Humanitarian Award, Dr.

eMotion Pictures shows another side of orthopaedic surgeons

Annie Hayashi

Are orthopaedic surgeons artists or surgeons? In many cases, they’re both, as the Academy’s 2001 eMotion Pictures: An Exhibition of Orthopaedics in Art proved. Now, as part of its 75th Anniversary, the AAOS is sponsoring a new exhibit of eMotion Pictures, featuring artwork by both surgeons and patients. The project, which will be showcased at the AAOS 2008 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, includes a traveling exhibit, a book, and a Web site.

AAOS thanks anniversary sponsors

The AAOS 75th Anniversary projects establish the first historical documentation of the American orthopaedic community and its contributions to the society. The projects include the following materials: a content collection Web site (www.aaos.org/75years), an exhibit at Annual Meeting, a traveling exhibit, a permanent exhibit for the lobby of the AAOS headquarters in Rosemont, Ill.

AAOS responds to negative portrayals, sets positive examples with PSAs

Nicholas DiNubile, MD

From spine and knee surgery to injury prevention tips, the AAOS made news After a recent article about knee replacements in The New York Times, the AAOS collaborated with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), The Knee Society, and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) to write a response. The New York Times article suggested that surgeries such as lumbar fusion are a monetary gain for doctors.

Moore’s message deserves a hearing

Howard R. Epps, MD

“SiCKO” may not be balanced, but will stimulate debate “SiCKO,” the latest production from controversial filmmaker Michael Moore, depicts the healthcare system in America as hopelessly flawed. The solution, Moore believes, is a single payor system. Through anecdotes, interviews, and occasional gimmicks, “SiCKO” is an insightful portrayal of the many paths to health care taken by both the uninsured and insured in America.

Board adopts new strategic plan

In 2005, the AAOS Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan to help guide decision making in the years 2005-2007. Because part of the ongoing process involves revisiting the strategic plan on a regular basis, this year the Board appointed a project team to revise and update the plan. Norman Y. Otsuka, MD, chaired the project team that assembled the plan, which was developed by the Board during a series of meetings.

A pat on the back to…

John A. Barrasso, MD, the first orthopaedic surgeon in the U.S. Senate, appointed by Wyoming’s Gov. Dave Freudenthal to temporarily replace the late Sen. Craig Thomas (see report, page 1). Valdis Zatlers, MD, the first orthopaedic surgeon elected president of a country (Latvia). Andrew W. Gurman, MD, elected vice-speaker of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, and William A. Dolan, MD, elected to a four-year term on the AMA Board of Trustees, joining William A.

San Francisco opens doors for AAOS members

Member-only hotel reservations for the 2008 Annual Meeting open Aug. 16 Are you planning to attend the AAOS 75th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, March 5-9, 2008? To help you get the hotel you want, the Academy is opening its Web-based housing reservation system for members only on Thursday, Aug. 16. San Francisco is a premier location for the Annual Meeting, one reason that the AAOS has planned to hold its Diamond Jubilee celebrations there.

Where to stay in San Francisco

From boutique hotels to majestic palaces, AAOS members have access to accommodations throughout the city. Individual hotel descriptions will be available when member-only housing opens on Aug. 16, but here is a sneak preview of the areas where hotels are located and the AAOS negotiated rates. Civic Center (Room rates: $146 – $257) San Francisco’s widest street, Van Ness Avenue, runs straight down the middle of the Civic Center.

Sign up now for fall courses

Bronwyn Barrerra

Whether you’re looking to improve your treatment outcomes or preparing for Maintenance of Certification (MOC), the AAOS has educational offerings that will help you meet your goals. Top 15 foot and ankle problems What are the most common foot and ankle problems that you see in your practice? How good are your outcomes in treating them…and would you like to improve your results? The AAOS’ Top 15 Foot and Ankle Problems course can help. Course directors Bryan D.

This patient is hip!

S. Terry Canale, MD

Orthopaedic surgeons who perform total hip arthroplasties—as well as those of us who are on the receiving end of those surgeries—owe a great deal to the immeasurable contributions of Sir John Charnley. Since his groundbreaking work, however, there have been numerous advances in prosthetic design, surgical techniques, and options for patients.

AAOS introduces new hip ICL text

Bronwyn Barrerra

Instructional Course Lectures—Hip (ICL Hip) offers a collection of the most popular and notable hip-oriented ICLs from the past five AAOS Annual Meetings. Published cooperatively with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), ICL Hip covers preoperative concerns, new directions in hip replacement, modern management of complications, and revision surgery.

Industry News

Smith & Nephew introduces new antimicrobial dressing Smith & Nephew Wound Management has introduced Acticoat Post-Op, a silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing designed to help manage infection risk following cardiothoracic, orthopaedic, soft-tissue, and other surgical procedures. The trilaminate dressing consists of a proprietary perforated nanocrystalline silver wound contact layer, an absorbent hydrocellular foam layer, and a transparent, waterproof adhesive top film (IV 3000™).

Health care in Canada: Different, but not necessarily better

Alastair S.E. Younger, MD, FRCS(S)

As the 2008 election season gets underway, the American healthcare system is the focus of much attention. Many voters are concerned about the more than 40 million Americans who lack health insurance coverage, as well as about the perceived and real shortcomings in the American healthcare system compared to other countries, as portrayed in Michael Moore’s “SiCKO.” No doubt, 2008 Presidential aspirants will soon propose their “solutions” for the troubled American system.

Mark your calendars!

OITE registration Any orthopaedic surgeon interested in taking the 2007 Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) should register by Oct. 15, 2007. The 2007 OITE can help fulfill the continuing medical education (CME) requirements mandated by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process but cannot be applied to the “scored and recorded” self-assessment examination requirement mandated by the ABOS MOC Process.

It’s not always easy in the Big Easy

Jennie McKee

No one expected recovery to be quick, but significant challenges remain J. Ollie Edmunds Jr., MD, remembers how it was in August 2005. “Levees on the 17th Street canal broke and overtopped, releasing oily, brown, brackish water into more than 80 percent of the city of New Orleans,” he recalls. “The Superdome’s roof was ripped off, coffins floated out of graves, hospitals and orthopaedist’s offices were flooded, and the lower 9th ward looked like Hiroshima after the atomic bomb hit.” Dr.

Making a fresh start after Katrina

Jennie McKee

Sometimes, you can’t go home again As news reports make clear, not everyone has returned to New Orleans after the storm. Some orthopaedic surgeons were among those who found new homes and new positions in other cities. Kyle F. Dickson, MD, who helped evacuate patients from Charity Hospital and Tulane University Hospital, relocated with his family to Baton Rouge, La., after the storm because the hospitals in which he worked were unable to function. Dr.

AAOS spreads orthopaedic knowledge around the world

Jennie McKee

Four surgeons benefit from International Surgical Skills Scholarships Imagine being one of just 20 orthopaedic surgeons in a country of 70 million people. Every day, patients stream into your hospital. You must focus on only the most serious cases because of the hospital’s limited resources. This is the reality for Elias Ahmed Ibrahim, MD, of Ethiopia, one of four 2007 AAOS International Surgical Skills Scholarship winners.

AAOS reaches out to minority students

Carolyn Rogers

With many students receiving little or no exposure to orthopaedics in medical school, outreach is essential For the past 42 years, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) has been a leader in promoting increased enrollment and retention of minority medical students. To encourage these students to consider orthopaedic surgery as a career, the AAOS has participated in SNMA’s Annual Medical Education Conference for the past six years, including the 2007 conference in San Francisco.

AAOS Mentoring Program wants YOU!

Carolyn Rogers

Developed primarily for minorities and women, the AAOS Mentoring Program encourages medical students to pursue rewarding careers in orthopaedic surgery. By pairing each participant with an experienced orthopaedic surgeon who is able to provide career guidance and uniquely personal advice, the program helps candidates successfully prepare for this diverse and challenging field. AAOS fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in the program as mentors.