I have been honored to have served the AOAO as President for these last several months and seeing the incredible direction we are taking to help our members. I want to update the membership on a few of these exciting strides being made to your benefit.
Congratulations to Dr. Rick Crank, the session moderators, and all those who contributed to the excellent lectures provided at the 61st Annual Spring Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. The Academy did perfectly to make all feel safe, including providing PPE kits and delivering COVID PCR testing for those who needed it before returning to their hometown. I enjoy the intimate atmosphere provided by in-person meetings, allowing me to catch up with my friends and colleagues. I urge all to attend the Annual Fall Meeting at the Omni Louisville in Louisville, KY. I am confident that it will enable all attendees to attend safely and allow us to celebrate overcoming the struggles of this past year
I am happy to welcome and congratulate the new Women’s Orthopedic Section. I am so proud that our Academy is striving to support our female membership and provide an avenue and position to be role models, encourage diversity, and develop new leadership positions within our Academy. I am sure that this will be a very successful and productive section.
One of the most exciting things to come in our near future will be the new and improved Virtual Library. A special task force devoted to this project has been working diligently to develop it in a way that serves every member. This online resource promises to be an avenue that will help members no matter what stage of their careers, from student to seasoned physician. Students will find a place to gain knowledge on how to be successful in audition rotations. Residents can discover podcasts and videos on essential topics involving advanced procedures, research techniques, or basic surgical skills. We endeavor to have information that will help the graduating residents educate themselves on contract negotiation and choosing between academic versus private practice. It will also provide opportunities for our orthopedic program directors to receive valuable information and share knowledge on faculty development and scholarly activities that confronts our osteopathic programs in the new age of the Single Accreditation System.
The new Virtual Library promises to be one of the most exciting new programs offered by the AOAO, giving unmatched value as a FREE benefit. We will certainly keep you apprised as this project continues to develop.
The AOAO is continuing to grow with the demands and needs of our members. If you have ideas that can benefit your brothers and sisters of the Academy, please reach out to us on the AOAO Board. Our united goal is to make the AOAO one of your most valued resources to get your orthopedic knowledge and assistance.