Two fellows violate expert witness SOPs

In initial professional compliance grievances, Board issues suspension, censure By Kathleen Delaney In the first two grievances heard by the AAOS Board of Directors under the AAOS Professional Compliance Program, the Board suspended the fellowship standing of Edward F. Quinn III, MD, of Milford, Del., for one year, and censured John A. Ogden, MD, of Atlanta. Both were found to have violated the Standards of Professionalism (SOPs) on Orthopaedic Expert Witness Testimony.

Together, we are one

One of the Academy’s primary goals must be to increase orthopaedic unity to effect change, improve efficiencies and meet surgeons’ needs A year ago, at the AAOS Annual Meeting, you heard me say, “Together, we are one.” It may not have meant much then, but during the past year, unity efforts have taken center stage and the results are increasingly visible.

BOC takes active role in ensuring unity

Dwight W. Burney III, MD

Orthopaedic surgery is so broad and deep a specialty that fragmentation is a real hazard—generalist vs. specialist, academic vs. private practitioner, subspecialist vs. subspecialist. This can create problems, particularly when a united front is needed to respond to issues such as tort reform, Medicare payment schedules, or emergency care/on-call responsibilities. As David Lovett, the director of the AAOS Washington, D.C.

BOS applauds steps to ensure unity

Andrew N. Pollak, MD

More than 98 percent of the board-certified orthopaedic surgeons in the United States belong to the AAOS, even though as many as three out of four AAOS members identify themselves as subspecialists. In part, this is due to steps taken by the AAOS to avoid the fate of similar organizations, such as the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association, that have fragmented into distinct subspecialty groups.

Communication, bone health, ATV safety focus of PSAs

Jennie McKee

A doctor and patient with their lips bandaged shut…a cute gymnast who’s “almost past her prime”…a banged-up all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in the emergency department…these images and others focusing on musculoskeletal health are all part of the AAOS’ 2007 multimedia public service advertising (PSA) campaign, now in full swing across the country.

New look matches brand promise

Carolyn Rogers

AAOS takes active, strategic role in managing brand To better understand what the AAOS brand means to you, just take a closer look at the publication you’re holding in your hands. AAOS Now not only reflects the new visual identity of AAOS—it also delivers on the AAOS “brand promise.” A brand by any other name What exactly is a “brand?” “It’s more than a logo,” says Mark Wieting, AAOS chief education officer and chair of the staff branding team.

Media efforts spotlight ‘Booming Seniors,’ war injuries, musculoskeletal conditions

Nicholas A. DiNubile, MD

AAOS, National Athletic Trainers’ Association partner for New York event The Internet is changing the way people communicate, and AAOS is taking advantage of new outreach techniques to take the story of orthopaedic surgery and surgeons to the media, while not abandoning standard approaches. By matching our approach to media needs, we garnered considerable coverage. Booming Seniors AAOS/NATA press event On Nov.

Take advantage of the Academy’s 2007 CME courses

Jennie McKee

Looking to fulfill your continuing education needs for this year? The Academy’s 2007 continuing medical education (CME) course calendar offers 31 education courses that can enhance the musculoskeletal care you provide to patients.

Evidence-Based Practice Committee launches new OKO portal

Jill Elaine Hughes

Online portal is a one-stop-shop for evidence-based information The AAOS Evidence-Based Practice Committee launched its latest educational product, the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Online Portal, on November 21, 2006. The EBP Online Portal is a new component of Orthopaedic Knowledge Online. The portal will serve as a comprehensive, one-stop-shop for the latest information and educational materials on evidence-based orthopaedic practice.

Now is the time for change

S. Terry Canale, MD

Orthopaedic news is often controversial, and, unlike the old Bulletin, the new AAOS Now doesn’t intend to shy away from controversy I’ve twice served as editor of the AAOS Bulletin, which I believe makes me qualified to say that it is time for a change. A recent survey of AAOS fellows also agreed that it is time for a change. Many, including myself, don’t like change, but according to the survey, the Bulletin as the primary member publication of the AAOS has outgrown itself.

There is no ‘I’ in TEAM: To partner or not to partner

Alan S. Hilibrand, MD

What should be the role of orthopaedic surgeons in providing musculoskeletal care? As orthopaedic surgeons, we pride ourselves in treating all disorders of the musculoskeletal system. We are trained to provide the full spectrum of nonoperative and operative treatments. As a result, we perceive our specialty as the most logical provider of musculoskeletal care. As individuals, however, we have important decisions to make about how we provide that care within our practices.

James H. Beaty, MD, takes the helm

Carolyn Rogers

Incoming AAOS president will focus on front-burner member needs: On-call crisis in trauma care, physician education, technology assessment The 75th president of the AAOS—James H. Beaty, MD—will be inducted into office on Thursday, Feb. 15, during the 2007 Annual Meeting in San Diego. James H. Beaty, MD Q. What issues do you think will have the most direct impact on orthopaedic surgeons in the year(s) ahead? A.

Resolved: An even better 2007 for the AAOS

Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE

Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE A shift in venue The 2006 AAOS Annual Meeting met in Chicago, March 22-26. While normally not a newsworthy event (that’s why it’s called an Annual Meeting), 2006 was no ordinary year. As you’ll recall, the 2006 Annual Meeting was originally scheduled for March 8-12, in New Orleans. But the crippling blow that Hurricane Katrina dealt to the Crescent City on August 29, 2005, also shattered the carefully laid plans the AAOS had made for that meeting.

Meet the players

Each step in the grievance process involves a different group, with specified responsibilities. The cases of Drs. Quinn and Ogden proceeded through the following committees. Committee on Professionalism (COP) The Committee on Professionalism (COP) is the AAOS body charged with determining whether a grievance merits a formal hearing at which both the Grievant (person who files the grievance) and the Respondent (person accused in the grievance) present their positions.

What you need to know about Maintenance of Certification

Marybeth Ezaki, MD; G. Paul DeRosa, MD

Initial board certification and recertification are built upon education, peer review, continuing medical education, and a secure examination. Both are, and always have been, a voluntary process. Renewal of board certification for all medical specialists in this country is evolving into the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process.