“Roadway Warrior” Assumes AAOS Presidency

Jennie McKee

We orthopaedic surgeons have the best specialty in medicine,” said John R. Tongue, MD, who assumed the presidency of the AAOS during the 2012 Annual Meeting Ceremonial Meeting. “We help everyone—people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles. Being able to improve people’s quality of life is a very positive experience.”

Readers Urge Action on Articles

On quality initiatives… We enjoyed the coverage of the inaugural meeting of the Orthopaedic Quality Institute (“Who defines quality in orthopaedics?” AAOS Now, December 2011). The meeting reflects two critical aspects of a strategy to improve the delivery and quality of musculoskeletal care: collaboration and communication. The Orthopaedic Quality Institute represents a paradigm shift in healthcare reform. No longer is it “us versus them”; we must work together.

In Memoriam

Joseph M. Abell Jr, MD Oct. 17, 2011 Austin, Texas James B. Carr, MD Dec. 31, 2011 Roanoke, Va. Michael A. Di Cosola, MD July 9, 2009 Boca Raton, Fla. Donald K. Hester, MD Jan. 8, 2012 Long Beach, Calif. John A. Lynch, MD Feb. 6, 2012 Topeka, Kan. William Stratford, MD Clarksville, Tenn. William H. Thomas, MD Nov. 18, 2011 Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Vernon T. Tolo, MD, Accepts Tipton Leadership Award

Peter Pollack

In nominating Vernon T. Tolo, MD, for the 2012 William W. Tipton Jr, MD, Leadership Award, John P. Dormans, MD, and Frances A. Farley, MD, spoke of Dr. Tolo’s untiring commitment to educating younger surgeons. “As a mentor to the young orthopaedic surgeons participating in the Leadership Fellows Program,” wrote Dr. Dormans and Dr. Farley, “Dr.

Pat on the back...

James R. Andrews, MD, named 2010-2011 Southeastern Conference Team Physician of the Year. Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, recipient of the Greater Rochester (N.Y.) 2012 Athena Award. John A. Bergfeld, MD, recipient of the Thomas A. Brady Community Service Award from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). Christopher T.

Please Hold…Your Call Is Very Important to Us

S. Terry Canale, MD

I believe that, in the world of practice management, a doctor is only as good as his worst employee. This is especially true for those employees who meet and greet the public on behalf of and in the name of the physician (eg, employees who answer the phone, staff the registration desk, or make appointments). And we as physicians should not only consider the performance of the human staff working for us, but also the electronic or automatic systems. S.

George Will Argues Against “Spreading Web of Dependency”

Jennie McKee

“I actually only write about politics to support my baseball habit,” joked Pulitzer Prize-winning conservative newspaper columnist George F. Will, who gave the keynote address at the 2012 AAOS Annual Meeting. Mr. Will, known for his witty, insightful views on politics as well as for his baseball expertise, offered his opinions on the 2012 presidential race and discussed many of the issues facing the country.

CEO Introduces New Value Initiative

During the Opening Ceremonies of the AAOS 2012 Annual Meeting, AAOS Chief Executive Officer Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE, introduced a new initiative, “A Nation in Motion: One Patient at a Time,” designed to deepen the understanding of the value orthopaedic surgeons provide to the health and quality of life for Americans and to enhance the overall reputation of orthopaedic care. Karen L.

Mark Wieting Honored by AAOS

Jennie McKee

AAOS Chief Education Officer Mark Wieting was recognized for his years of service and contributions to the Academy’s educational initiatives with a certificate of honorary membership in the AAOS during the 2012 AAOS Annual Meeting. The certificate, which was presented by Immediate Past President Daniel J. Berry, MD, and AAOS Chief Executive Officer Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE, confers the highest honor the Academy can bestow on an individual who is not an Academy member. Mr.

Orthopaedic Surgeons Keep A Nation in Motion: One Patient at a Time

Michael F. Schafer, MD

Our nation faces healthcare challenges that range from budget issues to an aging population. At this time, we as orthopaedic surgeons have an opportunity to show the nation that we bring value to the lives of millions of people every day. Each of us has a story to tell. If you attended last month’s Annual Meeting, you likely heard Academy leadership introduce A Nation in Motion: One Patient at a Time. (See “CEO Introduces New Value Initiative.”

Meet Your New Board Members

At the end of the AAOS Business Meetings during the 2012 AAOS Annual Meeting, Daniel J. Berry, MD, introduced the new members of the AAOS Board of Directors. They include the new second-vice president, the new treasurer, two elected at-large members, the recently elected secretaries of the Board of Councilors (BOC) and Board of Specialty Societies (BOS), and a newly appointed Council Chair (nonvoting seat). Frederick M. Azar, MD Matthew Dobbs, MD David C.

Franklin H. Sim, MD, Honored with Diversity Award

Jennie McKee

Dr. Sim has consistently supported the orthopaedic training and careers of minority orthopaedic surgeons and women from developing countries and the United States,” wrote Michael J. Yaszemski, MD, PhD, in support of the nomination of Franklin H. Sim, MD, to receive the 2012 AAOS Diversity Award. Franklin H.

Shafique P. Pirani, MD, Receives Humanitarian Award

Maureen Leahy

For more than a decade, Shafique P. Pirani, MD, has been passionate about improving the function and quality of life of Ugandan children afflicted with clubfoot. The AAOS recognized this devotion by presenting Dr. Pirani with the Humanitarian Award during the 2012 AAOS Annual Meeting. The Humanitarian Award honors members of the Academy who have distinguished themselves through outstanding musculoskeletal-related humanitarian activities in the United States or abroad.