Meet your new Board members

At the 2008 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, six orthopaedic surgeons were introduced as new members of the AAOS Board of Directors. Although they come from different parts of the country and represent various specialties and professional societies, the new members share a strong commitment to the Academy.

Readers have theories about women in orthopaedics

I just finished reading the article about women orthopaedists (“Where are the women orthopaedists?” February 2008). I am happy to know that the Academy has been and will continue to encourage women and minorities to become a part of this great field. I am one of seven female orthopaedic residents in my program. Unfortunately, I have not been as actively involved in the recruitment of women and minorities for orthopaedics.

A Pat on the Back….

John A. Bergfeld, MD, awarded the John H. Budd MD Distinguished Membership Award for 2008 by the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio in recognition of his longstanding work in orthopaedic medicine as well as his dedication to the healthcare community in Cleveland John P.

Leadership Fellows Program celebrates 6th anniversary

Jeffrey A. Kramer, FACHE, CAE

The AAOS Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) recently completed 6 years of identifying and training future leaders from young members who have little volunteer or leadership experience. By all accounts, the LFP is exceeding expectations—an example of the right program (leadership training for young members) implemented in the right organization (highly supportive at all levels) at the right time.

Second Look

If you missed these news items the first time around, AAOS Now gives you a second chance to review them. Headline News Now, the AAOS thrice-weekly, online update of news of interest to orthopaedic surgeons, brings you the latest on clinical, socioeconomic, and political issues, as well as important announcements from AAOS. Best, worst state tort systems identified The not-for-profit Pacific Research Institute has ranked the best and worst state tort systems in the United States.

In Memoriam

William P. Bryant, MD June 6, 2006 Birmingham, Ala Trygve Ingolf Forland, MD Oct. 26, 2007 Santa Paula, Cal. Philip C. Lehman, MD Unknown Tuscaloosa, Ala. Stephen H. Noel, MD Oct. 22, 2007 Dakota Dunes, S.D. Thomas L. Schultz, MD Dec. 22, 2007 Austin, Texas Kenneth Bruce Short, MD Sept. 6, 2007 Chattanooga, Tenn. O. Sherwin Staples, MD 2003 Hanover, N.H. Ernest Stich, MD Jan. 25, 2008 Rayle, Ga. Harold R. Weichert, MD Unknown Syracuse, N.Y.

Kristy L. Weber, MD, to chair CORQAT

After serving as a member-at-large on the AAOS Board of Directors, Kristy L. Weber, MD, is taking on a new challenge as chair of the Council on Research, Quality Assessment and Technology (CORQAT). “I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Dr. Weber, an associate professor and the chief of the division of orthopaedic oncology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md. “This is a real opportunity to work hard and to make a great deal of difference within the Academy.”

AAOS embraces the world

Dallas Ann Tomlin

By Dallas Ann Tomlin International members add rich heritage From the most rural clinic in Nepal to the busiest hospital in New York City, orthopaedic surgeons around the world are bound together by their unique mission—to provide the highest quality musculoskeletal care to their patients. With at least 200,000 orthopaedic surgeons worldwide, sharing the experiences and expertise of individual doctors, no matter where they practice, is in the patient’s best interest.

New PSAs tout orthopaedic benefits

Peter Pollack

Television, radio, print announcements deliver inspiration, advice The 2008 AAOS public service announcements (PSAs), which were unveiled during the Opening Ceremony at the 2008 AAOS Annual Meeting, address a range of orthopaedic initiatives including safety, Academy achievements, and physical activity. “There’s no shortage of health information out there,” says Nicholas A.

Another playground springs up in San Francisco

Jennie McKee

2008 AAOS playground is third in area Hundreds of volunteers worked in pleasantly cool, sunny weather at San Francisco’s Balboa Park on Tuesday, March 4—the day before the 75th AAOS Annual Meeting began—to help build a safe, accessible playground. In the approximately 7 hours it took to complete the project, the group also raked, painted, shoveled, and otherwise refurbished and beautified the area surrounding the playground site.

Looking back at previous playgrounds

“The first playground was built when I was AAOS president,” said S. Terry Canale, MD. “I’ll have to admit that I had concerns about the longevity of the idea—whether or not we’d be able to keep building them—but now we’ve done our ninth one, some of the state and specialty societies have done them as well, and I’d say that the playground builds have developed legs of their own.” Stephen S. Hurst, MD, an orthopaedist from San Mateo, Calif.

AAOS 2008 Playground Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor: Sanofi-Aventis Platinum Sponsors: Kyphon, Inc., Stryker, DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson Co./DePuy Mitek Gold Sponsors: KCI, Smith & Nephew Inc. Silver Sponsors: ArthroCare Sports Medicine, Synvasive Technology, Inc., Canon Medical Systems, Foundation for Orthopedic Trauma, Medtronic’s Spinal and Biologics Business, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, OrthoPediatrics, LLC, Otto Bock Healthcare Bronze Sponsors: Mobile Workforce, Inc., TRAIBER, S. L., Aesculap, Inc.

Advocacy, unity, diversity

Tony Rankin, MD

Tony Rankin, MD   Noninvolvement is not an option Advocacy will play a pivotal role in shaping our practice environment. At this critical time, we cannot in good conscience allow our patients’ access to quality orthopaedic care to be determined solely by the government, insurance companies, trial lawyers, or others. Active participation in advocacy by all AAOS members is essential to our success. As physicians, we have always been advocates for the health of our patients.

Don’t forget to vote!

Balloting for the AAOS proposed resolutions, bylaws amendments, and Standards of Professionalism (SOPs) is underway. Documents have been e-mailed, faxed, or mailed to all fellows eligible to vote, and you have until April 24, 2008, to respond. You can cast your ballot online, fax your ballot to (847) 574-7493, or mail your ballot to the AAOS Research Department, Attn: Balloting, 6300 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018.

The 30s: From depression to innovation

Carolyn Rogers

Orthopaedic history begins to blossom Most of the scientific, technologic, and economic forces that propelled orthopaedics to its preeminent position in medicine occurred during the past 75 to 100 years. Until now, however, this “golden era of orthopaedics” had never been critically studied. Thanks to the Academy’s 75th Anniversary effort, this orthopaedic story is now being shared through a series of multimedia projects, including an interactive Digital Timeline.

Academy examines impact of investigations

Mary Ann Porucznik

Crystal ball isn’t needed to know trouble’s brewing The Annual Meeting symposium on “The Evolving Orthopaedic Surgeon-Industry Relationship” featured Lewis Morris, JD, chief counsel to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (see story, page 1). Additional perspectives on the impact of the ongoing investigations were provided by three Academy fellows, an industry representative, and attorney Howard J. Young, JD.

Claudia Thomas, MD, wins 2008 Diversity Award

Peter Pollack

Groundbreaking surgeon recognized for her efforts to bring women, minorities into the profession To say that Claudia L. Thomas, MD, is qualified in the area of diversity might be a masterpiece of understatement. Dr. Thomas stands as the first female African-American orthopaedic surgeon in the United States. From her days organizing a sit-in at Vassar College to protest a lack of funding for a Black Studies program, to counseling and encouraging young orthopaedic residents, Dr.

“It’s simple: Teach what you know”

Carolyn Rogers

Kaye E. Wilkins, MD, receives 2008 Humanitarian Award Kaye E. Wilkins, MD, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, has spent his entire career improving the lives of patients and teaching physicians in more than 20 countries around the globe. In recognition of his efforts, the Academy honored Dr. Wilkins with the ninth annual AAOS Humanitarian Award. “Wow,” was Dr. Wilkins’ first word upon receiving the award from his good friend, AAOS 2007 President James H. Beaty, MD.

Orthopaedic “Road Warrior”

2008 has been a pretty good year for Kaye E. Wilkins, MD. In just three months, his good works have earned him two national titles: the 2008 AAOS Humanitarian Award winner and American Airline’s “Road Warrior” of the year. In keeping with the selflessness he’s shown over the past 30 years, Dr.

OREF honors Schafer with Leadership Award

Annie Hayashi

Michael F. Schafer, MD, receives OREF’s 2008 William W. Tipton Jr., MD Leadership Award “Being selected for this Award means more to me than I can put into words,” said Michael F. Schafer, MD, recipient of the 2008 Orthopaedic Research and Education and Foundation (OREF) William W. Tipton Jr., MD Leadership Award. “Bill Tipton and I were interns together and became very close friends. Many years ago, we talked about how we could make a contribution to medicine.”