Readers address emergency care, “unforgiveable” errors

Mr. Binder (“Will reimbursement policies create an access crisis?” July 2008 AAOS Now) makes it clear that our response to decreased reimbursement has been to increase productivity, but that may not be sustainable. The article shows how much the pay for our work has been cut and refutes those who suggest that we don’t work as hard as we used to.

Lights, camera, Internet, and action!

Frank B. Kelly, MD

One sure way to enhance the image of orthopaedic surgeons is to make sure our message reaches as much of the media and public as possible. Today, this means more than just the “mainstream” media. On-line bloggers are an important way to communicate the correct orthopaedic message. Bloggers may contact you to do an interview on a variety of orthopaedic subjects—primarily any orthopaedic news of the day and what people in their on-line communities are talking about.

Orthopaedics in Uganda

Rick Wilkerson, DO

A volunteer placement becomes an unforgettable family experience A year ago my wife and I, along with four of our eight children and a friend of one of our daughters, spent a month working with Orthopaedics Overseas (OO) at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Twelve years earlier, we had taken a similar trip to Bhutan with OO. That experience had proved to be one of the most memorable and, I think, valuable trips our children have experienced.

Bridging the spine care knowledge gap

Jennie McKee

ESCOME to launch spinal care training program for Chinese surgeons In the United States, spine surgeons use their training and tools to help treat patients with scoliosis, spondylolysis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and a host of other spinal disorders, with the goal of increasing their patients’ mobility and quality of life. Surgeons in developing countries can do far less—or sometimes, nothing at all—to treat people with spinal conditions.

In Memoriam

George A. Hyder, MD Unknown Methuen, Mass. Laurence A. Meltzer, MD Unknown Palm Desert, Calif. David L. Morrow, MD July 15, 2008 Charleston, S.C. Rodney K. Beals, MD Aug. 7, 2008 Portland, Ore.

Pat on the Back

Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA; Leesa M. Galatz, MD; Rex C. Haydon, MD, PhD; Robert L. Satcher Jr., MD, PhD; and John W. Sperling, MD, recipients of the American Orthopaedic Association’s American-British-Canadian Traveling Fellowships for 2009. William G. Clancy Jr., MD, who received the 2008 Robert E. Leach Mr. Sports Medicine Award presented by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine(AOSSM). Frank R.

Let’s fix our broken system

Augusto Sarmiento, MD

Economic considerations continue to drive the issue of healthcare delivery. The rapidly escalating cost of health care and the growing number of uninsured persons are factors emphasizing the need for a decision on what to do to fix the currently broken system. The cost and availability of health care will be major issues during this year’s presidential election campaign. I suspect that, regardless of the outcome of the election, major reform will be inevitable.

It won’t go away—or will it?

S. Terry Canale, MD

Don’t give away ED coverage Taking emergency call continues to be a complex problem and defies all reasoning. Orthopaedic surgeons respond in a variety of ways to the “call issue.” Some orthopaedists want to take emergency call; others don’t. Some are willing to take call only if they get paid for it, and others don’t want to take call regardless of the amount of the remuneration.

AAOS announces Center for Orthopaedic Advancement

Mark Wieting

At its June meeting, the AAOS Board of Directors voted to establish a new not-for-profit entity—the Center for Orthopaedic Advancement. Initially, the Center’s role will be to solicit and receive funds from industry and elsewhere, to receive and review grant requests from orthopaedic organizations, and to make grants to the best education programs that need funding. “Establishing the Center gives us some flexibility we have not had in the past,” said Tony Rankin, MD, AAOS president.

Build a playground in your town

Jennie McKee

They did it in Macon, Ga., and you can, too Each year before the AAOS Annual Meeting, Academy fellows join community organizers and industry representatives in building a legacy to the meeting’s host city. Although a playground build is a major undertaking, it is well within the ability of a state or local coalition—as the citizens of Macon, Ga., proved.

Interactive Web site celebrates orthopaedic history

Carolyn Rogers

Visit www.aaos.org/75years to connect with 75 years of orthopaedics As part of its 2008 anniversary celebration, the AAOS has recorded its 75 years of existence on a highly interactive Web site (www.aaos.org/75years) where visitors can watch a film on the history of orthopaedics, learn about orthopaedic inventions, examine intriguing pieces of orthopaedic-related artwork, view an array of personal interviews, and read life-altering patient stories.

Nominating Committee seeks names

Stuart L. Weinstein, MD

At its meeting in June, the AAOS Board of Directors appointed me the chair of the 2009 Nominating Committee. The following month, the AAOS fellowship elected six members (and one alternate) to the committee. Serving with me on the committee are Thomas A. Einhorn, MD (Mass.); Richard H. Gelberman, MD (Mo.); David L. Helfet, MD (N.Y.); Ramon L. Jimenez, MD (Calif.); Bernard F. Morrey, MD (Minn.); and Augustus A. White III, MD, PhD (Mass.). Laura L. Tosi, MD (D.C.

BOC to meet in Dallas

Timothy Beck, MD

The AAOS Board of Councilors (BOC) will hold its fall meeting in Dallas, Oct. 2-5. The BOC meeting will be held in conjunction with the Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) and will include more than 200 representatives and orthopaedic leaders. The following are among the topics that will be covered: an analysis of the election landscape, moderated by BOC Chair John T.

Get ready for National Action Week

Toby King

Bone and Joint Decade celebrates October 12-20, 2008 National Action Week, sponsored by the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD), is held worldwide every year from Oct. 12-20. The USBJD is part of this global, multidisciplinary initiative targeting the care of people with musculoskeletal conditions. Its focus is on improving quality of life as well as advancing the understanding and treatment of those conditions through research, prevention, and education.