How to Protect Our Patients and Ourselves from Elected Officials

John R. Tongue, MD

Writing this column on the heels of the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC), I find myself thinking about what it means to live in a country whose Constitution begins with the words, “We, the people …” Our revolutionary forefathers (and foremothers), whose vision and commitment shaped these United States of America, knew the importance of participatory democracy. John R.

AAOS, AAOE Win Gold Circle Awards

Recognized for excellence in communications The AAOS and American Association of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE) each received 2012 Gold Circle Awards from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for their excellence in association and nonprofit communications. The AAOS received the Integrated (Multi-Vehicle) Communications Campaign award for its Decide to Drive: A Public Service Awareness Campaign.

Apply Now for the LFP

The Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) offers an exciting opportunity available to all AAOS fellows who are age 45 and younger as of Jan. 31, 2013.

Court Upholds AAOS Professional Compliance Program

The Fellowship of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) voted to adopt the Professional Compliance Program after the 2005 Annual Meeting in response to the membership’s desire for a means to address the issue of inappropriate or fraudulent expert witness testimony.

In Memoriam

Borden Bachynski, MD July 7, 2010 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Robert C. Carnahan, MD Jan. 8, 2012 Casper, Wyo. Richard W. Donaldson, MD Hixson, Tenn. Melvin M.K.W. Hayashi, MD March 11, 2012 Thousand Oaks, Calif. Herbert H. Joseph, MD August 1, 2011 Silver Spring, Md. Bernard Kahn, MD April 17, 2011 Bluffton, S.C. Thomas M. Kain III, MD April 26, 2012 Bryn Mawr, Pa. Alan R. Kightlinger, MD Aug. 22, 2010 Cincinnati, Ohio Patrick G.

Kick off Your Patients’ Healthiest Summer Yet

Lauren Pearson Riley

The orthopaedic literature is increasingly reporting on the higher rates of complications associated with overweight patients, and many orthopaedic ailments—especially arthritis of the hip and knee—can be associated with weight. A recent study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projected that by 2030, 42 percent of American adults will be obese, compared to 34 percent now, and 11 percent will be severely obese, compared to the current 6 percent.

AOA Celebrates 125 Years

Jennie McKee

On Jan. 28, 1887, 14 physicians met in New York City to found the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), the first organization devoted to orthopaedic surgery. The AOA—now 125 years old and approximately 1,550 members strong—continues to play a vital role in the specialty. Douglas R.

Members Elect 2013 Nominating Committee, Endorse Ballot Measures

Richard N. Peterson, JD

For the second year, the AAOS Fellowship elected members to the AAOS Nominating Committee and voted on proposed AAOS resolutions, bylaw amendments, and revised Standards of Professionalism (SOPs) using a single ballot—and primarily on the Internet. By April 23, 2012, the end of the balloting period, 5,536 fellows had cast ballots, 23.85 percent of those eligible to vote.

Pat on the Back...

Steven R. Garfin, MD, named president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery for 2012–2013. Robert P. Good, MD, awarded the Sir John Charnley Award by the Arthritis Foundation. William J. Jarvis, MD, named Physician Citizen of the Year by the Wisconsin Medical Society. Seth S. Leopold, MD, selected editor-in-chief of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Expanding Access, Training for Clubfoot Treatment

Lynne Dowling

Introduced more than 50 years ago at the University of Iowa by the late Ignacio V. Ponseti, MD, the Ponseti Method for the nonsurgical treatment of congenital clubfoot is simple, efficacious, and highly cost effective. It involves a series of physical manipulations and casting, followed by bracing, to permanently reverse the deformity. (Left to right) AAOS Fellow Jose A. Morcuende, MD; Augustine Chiewolo, a physician assistant from Liberia; and Dr. Andre Georges Nguene Nyemb, Cameroon.

AAOS Launches Disaster Preparedness and Response Webpage

Links to information and resources The response of AAOS members to both domestic disasters such as the tornado that tore through Joplin, Mo., and international catastrophes such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake reflects the dedication and humanitarian generosity of orthopaedic surgeons. To provide interested members with the information they need to prepare for and aid in an effective response, the AAOS has developed a new disaster preparedness and response section of the AAOS website—www.aaos.

FAQs on 2013 Annual Meeting Housing Opportunities

Anita R. Cooper, CMP

The 2013 AAOS Annual Meeting is scheduled for March 19–23, 2013, in Chicago. If you’re planning to attend, you can reserve your hotel room now. Reservations will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. So don’t wait too long to book your hotel; Chicago is a prime location and top hotels can sell out early. Frequently asked housing questions Q. Why should I make my hotel reservation through the AAOS Housing Bureau? A.