There is something about this time of year that speaks to awakening, newness and renewal. It is my hope that each of you and your families experience one or all of those aspects of Spring.
The 58th Postgraduate Seminar is fast approaching. I hope to see many of you at The Terranea Oceanfront Resort. The scientific program looks fantastic and will provide up to 20.0 hours of AOA Category I-A CME credits and up to 20.0 hours of specialty credit for the AOBOS’ OCC requirements. This year we have added three workshops for residents on business matters and a breakfast for our Program Directors. For the golfers, there will be a charity golf outing at The Links at Terranea, located at the resort. Proceeds will benefit the AOAO Foundation.
The AOAO 2018 Annual Meeting will be held October 18-20 in conjunction with the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) in Atlanta. Although the details are not yet finalized, we anticipate at least two combined scientific sessions with AOAO and ACOS faculty. We have also engaged a Keynote Speaker to address cyber security. This meeting will be a great opportunity to reconnect with surgical colleagues from those training years. I encourage you to reach out to them and “catch up” in Atlanta.
In regards to the Single Accreditation System, 41 previously AOA accredited osteopathic orthopedic surgery residencies are in the ACGME accreditation process. Fourteen programs have been granted initial accreditation. The next ACGME Review Committee meeting is scheduled for the end of April. I anticipate initial approval of a significant number of programs at that meeting. To assure that all current residents graduate from an accredited program and are board eligible, the AOA has initiated a review process for those programs who are not in initial accreditation after the April Review Committee meeting. The Evaluating Committee of the AOAO will be assessing these programs on the basis of a questionnaire and data provided by the program. The purpose of this review will be to determine whether a program can continue to recruit candidates in the next match cycle.
The AOAO has increased its social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram. Analytics indicate we are reaching more and more individuals. Please follow us on all your favorite social media sites.
The AOAO is a member of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI.) Their March newsletter has several great articles of interest to orthopedic surgeons. I encourage you to read through their e-news.
Several weeks ago the AOAO Board of Directors and Committee chairs participated in a strategic planning retreat. During the retreat, four strategic priorities were identified: membership retention/recruitment, CME, identity/distinction and strategic partnerships. Each priority was vetted at length. The Board will finalize the plan at the May Board meeting and then disseminate the final document to the membership via the web site.
Finally, the AOA has issued the following statement regarding decoupling of AOA membership and AOA certification:
“Thank you for your inquiry. The AOA Board of Trustees in 2017 approved a resolution decoupling AOA membership from board certification. The Board has not set a date for implementation, and it continues to study the issue. In the interim, AOA certified diplomates must continue to maintain their AOA membership.”
I will continue to update you as these issues evolve. Have a wonderful Spring!