Dear AAOS members,

In the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, our thoughts and prayers go out to our members, their patients, and families in the affected areas of Louisiana and Texas. Laura made landfall yesterday and carried wind gusts of 150 mph. Officials have confirmed at least six deaths, and damage assessment to the area continues.

This is an especially difficult time as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect this region along with the rest of the country. Not to mention that Hurricane Laura swept ashore as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States.

AAOS leadership has been in direct contact with the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association (LOA) and the Texas Orthopaedic Association (TOA) to provide encouragement and facilitate open lines of communication for assisting our members and colleagues.

According to Cindy Bishop, executive director of the LOA, “The impact of Hurricane Laura started at the coast and went as far as Shreveport, which is in North Louisiana. Of greatest concern to the LOA is the Cameron Parish, Calcasieu Parish, and Vermilion Parish. Acadia Parish and Lafayette Parishes were impacted, but not to the extent of Southwest Louisiana.”

Bobby Hillert, executive director of the TOA said that “Laura hit a very small part of Texas, and dozens of EMS agencies from across the state were stationed to help with the response.”

This will certainly be another trying time for our profession as our members in these areas need the appropriate infrastructure to provide care to their patients, and their patients need access to timely orthopaedic care and treatment. We stand with our peers, friends and orthopaedic surgeons ready to help.

If you are interested, here are a few ways that you can support relief efforts:

• Donate to the American Red Cross Hurricane Laura Fund
• Volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps or Disaster Medical Assistance Teams

As we learn more about the specific needs of our members and their patients, we will continue to communicate with you through our website and social media.

Please be well and stay safe.

Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS
AAOS President