AAOS Moves Forward on Quality Initiatives

During its meeting on Sept. 5, 2014, the AAOS Board of Directors took several steps on quality issues, approving three new clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and one new appropriate use criteria (AUC). The CPGs and AUC were presented by Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA, chair of the AAOS Council on Research and Quality.

UNITY: Putting the “YOU” in YOUnity

Frederick M. Azar, MD

As orthopaedic surgeons, we recognize and prize that diversity. It is a source of strength because it certainly serves to improve the care of our patients. But although specialization is good, fragmentation of our ranks is not. Orthopaedic surgeons represent less than 3 percent of all physicians. Of all the challenges that we face currently or in the future, I believe the need to maintain our unity is the greatest of them.

2015 Specialty Day Preview

The 2015 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas promises to deliver the very best in orthopaedic learning. And, as always, Specialty Day—scientific programs highlighting the latest research and surgical techniques in orthopaedic specialties—is a great way to wrap up the week. “Specialty Day provides a venue for Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) member organizations to present educational programming,” said David C. Templeman, MD, chair of the BOS.

Strengthening Bones, Joints, and Communities

Alan S. Hilibrand, MD

As many AAOS members know, since 2000, the Academy has been building playgrounds in Annual Meeting host cities. Our patients and their orthopaedic conditions are unique, as are each of the 15 Safe and Accessible Playgrounds the AAOS has built. Each site is specifically designed for the children and the community where it is located, and the footprint of each build site is as different as individual fingerprints.

Codman Gravesite Receives Memorial

On July 22, 2014, a memorial stone was placed on the unmarked grave of E. Amory Codman, MD, in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Mass. The effort to honor Dr. Codman’s many contributions to medicine was initiated by members of the American College of Surgeons, and supported by The Joint Commission, the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES), the AAOS, the American Hospital Association, and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The commissioned headstone acknowledges Dr.

In Memoriam

Joseph F. Berumen, MD Austin, Texas Albert B. Ferguson Jr, MD Aug. 20, 2014 Pittsburgh Gerald L. Higgins, MD Aug. 10, 2014 Las Vegas L. Thomas Hood, MD Aug. 12, 2003 Omaha, Neb. John Arnold Houkom, MD Aug. 29, 2014 La Jolla, Calif. George L. Merkert Jr, MD July 12, 2014 Colorado Springs, Colo. John H. Muehlstein, MD Aug. 30, 2013 Chicago J. Elmer Nix, MD Aug. 9, 2014 Jackson, Miss. Sarah Pettrone, MD July 25, 2014 Reston, Va. Max D.