I am sure most of us are glad to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror. Hopefully 2021 brings with it the promise of better things to come.
Certainly, the pandemic continues to be problematic, but there are signs of improvement almost everywhere. From my perspective, the 61st Annual Spring Meeting was a huge success. The Board’s decision to proceed with the meeting in a hybrid format allowed those able to travel an opportunity to connect in person with colleagues and also accommodated those unable or unwilling to travel still earn valuable CME. Conference evaluations already show this meeting was of value to our members.
Over the past several months the AOAO has been working toward several initiatives. We will offer CME to both Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and our allopathic surgeon colleagues beginning with the 2021 Annual Fall Meeting. The Virtual Library Task Force has been working on a significant modification to the Virtual Library, and it should be an excellent member benefit soon. The Publications and Communications committee is working on several projects to improve our ability to publish scholarly articles and share information. The Women’s Orthopedic Section of the AOAO is now fully functional with bylaws, officers and their own dedicated session at the 2021 Annual Fall Meeting. Please welcome this new section into the fold.
As we look to the future, membership recruitment and retention is paramount to ensure we maintain osteopathic principles and beliefs within the orthopedic surgical community. We are working on several new initiatives for our resident members, along with the AOAO Foundation, in accordance with our missions to provide education, resources and ultimately improve patient healing and care.
We will strive to assure all Osteopathic Orthopedic Residents are candidate members of the AOAO, and encourage them to choose the AOBOS certifying examinations. A recent new program was developed for the 2021 Spring Meeting. Chief resident members were offered complimentary registration including the osteopathic orthopedic board review course, a discount on the hotel room as well as hotel and airfare reimbursement. We will continue to invest in our members in training through programs like this, scholarships, awards, and education.
The future of our organization is up to all of us. I would ask that any member who trains and/or works with current Osteopathic Orthopedic Residents to please encourage them to become a part of the AOAO family and have faith in and choose the AOBOS board certifying examination.
Please reach out to me with any suggestions you feel will help make our Academy better for you.