I hope this finds all of my American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics brothers and sisters safe, well and getting back to normal. For our families, patients, and healthcare co-workers battling COVID-19, 2020 was undoubtedly a year of tremendous struggles . The time is perfect for decreasing your stress and making your plans to attend the Annual Fall Meeting in Louisville, KY. This meeting promises you a safe, educational experience and the opportunity to see a beautiful city. Should timing not allow for you to get away, you have the flexibility to still sign up after the meeting for virtual access to the presentations for limited CME.
Dr. Richard Crank, CME Committee Chair, along with the session moderators, have put together another excellent program. This meeting will feature the first Women’s Orthopedic Session, including topics to help physicians treat the female patient as well as issues that face our female orthopedic surgeon colleagues. AOAO will also offer CME beyond the DO orthopedic surgeon to your MD colleagues, physician assistants and nurse practitioners at this meeting. I am confident you will enjoy reconnecting with your colleagues emerging from the COVID isolation of 2020-2021.
In the area of advocacy, AOAO leadership is keeping up with the evolving landscape of medicine on Capitol Hill through our membership on the AAOS Advisors Circle. Several member volunteers are participating on different task forces within the Advisors Circle to represent the DO community during discussions on medical liability, physician payment models, physician ownership in healthcare, surgical preparedness, encouraging women leadership in orthopedic surgery, and approaches to the opioid crisis. We will provide you with updates as these groups evolve.
Dr. Gregory Hill, our AOAO Delegate on the AOA House of Delegates, attended their annual meeting which was held virtually July 16-18 along with our Executive Director, Dr. James Mason. If you are a member of the AOA, I encourage you to log in on their HOD website to review this year’s resolutions.
You might be wondering, what happened to the Dr. John H. Drabing Virtual Library? A special task force was formed last year to develop this important online resource into a new and improved member benefit. The task force, under the direction of Dr. Terry Philbin, has been working to update this resource for the orthopedist at every level of practice from student through resident to seasoned attending. We hope to bring you more information later this fall.
Finally, as this is my last message as AOAO President, I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported me this past year. Thanks for your support and the time and effort of our many volunteers, AOAO has remained strong through the pandemic and continues to adapt to our changing orthopedic environment. The American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics has incorporated ideas that have enhanced the inclusion of all its members. Regardless of how this pandemic evolves, we will continue to strive to meet your educational needs. As committee appointments open later this fall, I encourage you to become involved! Go to our committee page and consider joining one of these groups so that you can lend your voice in the decisions of this Academy.
My good friend and colleague, Dr. Greg Hill, will take over as President during the Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 29 during the Annual Fall Meeting. I am very much looking forward to seeing you there to support his rise in leading the AOAO Board of Directors and this Academy into 2022.
Safe travels!