June 10, 2022
Dear AAOS Member,
Following the recent firearm-related tragedies, AAOS leadership met with leaders from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) to discuss collaborative efforts among our respective organizations to take steps to protect our children in their schools and homes. In our discussions, we reviewed several options, and with extensive evaluation, we came to the conclusion that one important step is to endorse, promote and publicize the ACS firearm strategy in response to this ongoing public health issue.
To further support collaborative efforts among our organizations, the AAOS Board of Directors agreed to reaffirm the Board’s support in June 2019 of the proceedings from the ACS Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention: A Public Health Approach to Reduce Death and Disability in the United States, and formalize the following steps to:
- actively support ACS’ recommendations
- further endorse, promote and publicize ACS recommendations to AAOS Members via Academy communications
- utilize AAOS advocacy resources to support appropriate legislation
- reach out to our partner organizations to encourage their support of these efforts
As I stated after the horrific events in Tulsa, as healthcare professionals, we must do all we can to prevent these tragedies from occurring now and in the future. It is our hope that our ongoing active support of ACS’ strategy is a step in the right direction to protect the health and safety of our members, their families, and their patients.
Sincerely,
Felix H. “Buddy” Savoie III, MD, FAAOS
AAOS President