It is my hope that all American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics members are experiencing a summer filled with relaxation and family time. I know that some have had to deal with unusual weather but hope all are safe and dry.
Please take some time to read the interesting and instructive articles in this edition of The Orthopod. As Executive Director, I want to call attention to four topics that have an impact on the AOAO and our members.
First, at the recent American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees meeting in Chicago, a resolution was brought forth that would have given the certifying boards with the most diplomats permanent seats on the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists. In this resolution, smaller boards would have rotating representation. The AOAO Board is strongly opposed to this type of representation. Fortunately, the resolution was defeated.
Second, at the recent AOA House of Delegates meeting a resolution was advanced that would allow the AOA to dictate the type of CME necessary for AOA certification. As you may recall, the AOA will no longer have any CME requirements for membership. The AOAO Board was opposed to this resolution, believing that the AOBOS should be the body that prescribes the requirements for certification, including CME. The resolution was defeated; the AOBOS will control the parameters necessary for certification.
Third, specialty clinical affiliates (like AOAO) never had equal representation from the executive directors on the bureaus, councils and committees of then AOA. As your Executive Director, along with all members of the Society of Osteopathic Specialty Executives, there has been a two-year effort to gain parity with the state executive directors in the structure of the AOA. I am pleased to report that the AOA Board of Trustees voted to give specialty clinical affiliates equal representation on the bureaus, councils and committees of the AOA.
Fourth, a brief update on the single accreditation system: The osteopathic profession as a whole is doing very well, 70% of all programs are either accredited or have applied to the ACGME. The surgical specialties continue to be slow in gaining initial accreditation. Only 15 of 41 orthopedic programs are initially accredited. All 26 remaining programs are in the pipeline at various stages of continuing accreditation. The next Orthopaedic Review Committee meeting will take place on September 21, 2018. In conjunction with AOA leadership, I have been gathering data on our program’s OITE scores and fellowship placement in an attempt to convince the review committee we train competent, well accomplished surgeons who are meeting the needs of the American public in places that ACGME trained surgeons frequently neglect. In addition, at the recent AOA Annual Business Meeting, I met with ACGME leadership, including ACGME board members, to express our concerns. I will be attending the September 21 Orthopaedic Review Committee meeting as an ex officio member, representing the AOA and AOBOS. I hope to get a better feel for the review process and especially the facts used in making the accreditation decision.
I will continue to keep you updated on this and other pressing issues affecting the Academy. I hope to see many of you in Atlanta for our Annual Meeting.