Meet your new leaders

New members of the AAOS Board of Directors were announced at the 2010 Annual Meeting. These dedicated professionals, representing several orthopaedic subspecialties, share a strong spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the Academy.

Turning expectations of quality into reality

John J. Callaghan, MD

But for those of us who practice medicine—specifically those of us who practice orthopaedics—quality has multiple meanings, particularly in this era of healthcare reform. Quality may be defined as “the degree of excellence that a thing or person possesses.” But who defines “excellence”? Who determines the “degree of excellence” that equates to “quality”? And what are the implications of these decisions to us as orthopaedic surgeons and to our patients?

OMG: AAOS introduces 2010 PSAs

Jennie McKee

Ads focus on texting while driving, falls, back pain, shoes The image of a blood-spattered, cracked windshield illustrates the dangers of texting and driving. This powerful visual is just one of the Academy’s attention-grabbing public service announcements (PSAs) for 2010. The PSA campaign was unveiled during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Annual Meeting.

Haitian earthquake challenged responders

Maureen Leahy

Need for preparation, compassion, long-term commitment stressed Since Jan. 12, 2010, when a 7.0 earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti, more than 500 AAOS fellows have volunteered their time and services to help those who were injured. Many of those fellows attended the Annual Meeting symposium, “The Haitian Earthquake: What We Saw, Did, and Learned.” Others in the audience had plans in place to volunteer in Haiti.

CEO: Orthopaedics leads the way

In her report to the fellowship as part of the AAOS 2010 Annual Meeting Opening Ceremonies, Chief Executive Officer Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE, acknowledged the leadership role that orthopaedics took in responding to the disaster in Haiti. She also pointed to the example that the AAOS sets for other medical associations in addressing such thorny issues as accountability, disclosure, compliance with ethical standards, and developing clinical practice guidelines.

Readers weigh in on tort reform, practice trends

It should be noted that by far the greatest tort benefits of any health reform proposal thus far submitted to Congress would accrue from a single payer system such as improved Medicare for all. All future medical expenses for any personal injury lawsuit would be eliminated, a significant component of economic damages.

AAOS 2010 Award Winners: Douglas W. Jackson, MD

Past President’s diversity efforts remembered View the Video Douglas W. Jackson, MD, of Long Beach, Calif., has encouraged diversity in the orthopaedic specialty for more than 30 years, both as a leader and volunteer with the AAOS and within his community. Those efforts were honored at the 2010 AAOS Annual Meeting when Dr. Jackson was presented with the eighth annual Diversity Award. First to explore the diversity issue An active leader in the Academy since 1979, Dr.

AAOS 2010 Award Winners: Augustus A. White III, MD, PhD

Previous Diversity Award winner honored for achievements View the Video Augustus A. White III, MD, PhD, has been honored with the 2010 William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award for his work as an educator, mentor, and champion of diversity initiatives. “I am surprised, humbled and inspired to be receiving this award,” said Dr. White. “I feel particularly honored to be recognized among so many individuals I admire.” Dr.

AAOS 2010 Award Winners: Larry Dale Hull, MD

Prize recognizes 30 years of medical mission work View the Video AAOS fellow Larry Dale Hull, MD, is dedicated to healing the human spirit as well as the human body. Recognizing this devotion, the AAOS presented him with the 2010 Humanitarian Award for his three decades of medical mission work. “I am surprised and very thankful to be receiving this award,” said Dr. Hull.

Web site log-in changing this summer

Jim Ogle

New system requires an e-mail address on file As an AAOS member, you have lots of reasons to access “password-protected” areas of the AAOS Web site. Whether you’re accessing materials in the online Practice Management Center, downloading advocacy information from the Government Relations portion of the site, purchasing a product, registering for a course, or updating your Personal Physician Web site, simply logging in gives you access to this information.

Pat on the back...

The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) 2010–2011 board of directors: Mary I. O’Connor, MD, president; Carlos J. Lavernia, MD, first vice president; Thomas P. Vail, MD, second vice president; Thomas K. Fehring, MD, third vice president; Peter F. Sharkey, MD, treasurer; Michael H. Huo, MD, secretary; William J. Robb III, MD, immediate past president; David G. Lewallen, MD, past president; and Robert L. Barrack, MD, Craig J. Della Valle, MD, C. Anderson Engh Jr., MD, Douglas E.

Forum addresses global orthopaedic care

Maureen Leahy

More than 80 leaders from orthopaedic societies around the world gathered at the International Presidents’ Breakfast and World Opinion Forum during the 2010 AAOS Annual Meeting to discuss global orthopaedic care and education. Jesse B. Jupiter, MD, International Committee chair, opened the meeting by welcoming Mexico as the 2010 Annual Meeting Guest Nation and introducing the event’s Special Guests of Honor: Dr.

Crescent City comeback: Orthopaedics in New Orleans

Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd

When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans nearly 5 years ago, orthopaedists in the city had no guidelines. There was no book to consult on rebuilding a practice or a residency program in a city with half its population gone and the remaining half in varying degrees of psychological distress, with offices and homes destroyed, government in confusion, and loved ones dispersed around the country. They had to figure things out for themselves…and figure things out they did. J. Ollie Edmunds Jr.