AAOS Now

Kristy L. Weber, MD, Begins Her Term as AAOS President

Terry Stanton
History took center stage at the AAOS 2019 Annual Meeting, as Kristy L. Weber, MD, took office as the Academy’s 87th president. Dr. Weber is the first woman to serve in the top leadership role for AAOS. In her speech, Dr. Weber acknowledged the progress that her 2019–2020 presidency represents, while recognizing that much work remains to be done before the profession and its culture are deemed truly inclusive of women and other underrepresented groups.

Female War Amputees Face Challenging Rehabilitation and Reintegration

Craig A. Kampfer, MD; Jessica C. Rivera, MD; Christina M. Hylden, MD; and Anthony E. Johnson, MD
Women represent nearly 15 percent of active-duty military, 18 percent of guard and reserve forces, and 2 percent of total wartime casualties. Female war amputees represent a small group of veterans whose unique reintegration and rehabilitation needs require further investigation.

What to Do When—Not If—You Must Care for Patients Following a Mass Casualty or Disaster Event

Kerri Fitzgerald
During the President’s Symposium at the AAOS 2019 Annual Meeting, AAOS Past President David A. Halsey, MD, hosted a session that provided education on best preparedness practices in the face of a mass casualty or disaster event. All orthopaedic surgeons may be called upon to respond to and care for the injured with very little notice. This is an important issue for your Academy,” he said.

Immediate Past President David A. Halsey, MD, and Board of Directors Challenged the Status Quo

Terry Stanton
At the AAOS 2019 Annual Meeting, David A. Halsey, MD, looked back on an eventful year as president. He talked about a vision for the Academy’s future “where our individual members can grow professionally and thrive in the emerging value-based healthcare system.” Dr. Halsey also discussed the Board’s five-year Strategic Plan, the Academy’s advocacy efforts, and more.

Cultural Competence Is a Continuous Learning Opportunity

Kaitlyn D’Onofrio
The population is increasingly diverse, and physicians likely interact with patients whose cultures and life experiences differ from their own. This could impact patient-physician interactions and communication. A career development session at the AAOS 2019 Annual Meeting discussed tactful ways to communicate with patients of different cultures and explained why cultural competence requires being open to learning.