Support from OREF Shands members serves as permanent funding source

Influenced by their peers, encouraged by their mentors, and motivated by the desire to contribute to the future of orthopaedics, increasing numbers of orthopaedists and like-minded individuals are joining the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation’s (OREF’s) Alfred R. Shands Jr., MD Circle.

“We, as orthopaedic surgeons, are responsible for helping sustain the technological advances that have brought so much to our field,” said new Shands Circle member Michael H. Bourne, MD, who, along with his wife, Judi, made a high-level contribution through a life-insurance policy. “With all the ways to contribute financially, and compared to what we make for a living, I consider funding research and education an obligation.”

Founded in 1994 to secure permanent funding for research and education, the Alfred R. Shands Jr., MD Circle is OREF’s highest donor recognition society for those who have contributed $20,000 or more in cash gifts (within 5 years) or $50,000 or more through deferred giving arrangements. Shands Circle members’ contributions fund the OREF Endowment, which consists of a general fund for OREF that is directed by its board of trustees and more than 35 other funds that benefit the spectrum of subspecialties on diseases and injuries of bones, joints, nerves, and muscles. At press time, the Shands Circle included more than 500 members, 37 of whom joined in 2007.

“Doing my part”
Many new Shands Circle members, like Dr. Bourne, feel obligated to fund the research and education that will improve their practices.

“Recently, I returned from a fellowship in Oslo, Norway, where I had the opportunity to learn in-depth the science of sports medicine and cartilage transplants,” said Abdul Foad, MD. “I have the utmost appreciation for the hard work and funding required for research and development in the field of orthopaedics. As an active member in various orthopaedic associations, I feel it is my duty and honor to contribute to the specialty.”

“I’ve thought about contributing at this level for some time,” said Kent A. Reinker, MD, an Order of Merit donor for several years who recently stepped up to the Shands Circle level. “I have donated to OREF for many years and have served as a coordinator for OREF in both Hawaii and Texas. I am committed to research and recognize that without OREF, research in musculoskeletal disease would stagnate. Instead, musculoskeletal research is flourishing. This is good for everyone!”

Other donors are motivated by seeing young orthopaedic surgeons benefit from the practical outcomes of research and education. “I would like to help younger members to participate in our important and exciting field, which I have been involved with and enjoyed for 41 years so far,” explained Peter S. Walker, PhD. “By joining together with many other supporters of orthopaedic research, think how much progress can be made in our field.”

Peers twisting arms
Many new Shands members were influenced by their peers or encouraged by their mentors to give. Charles A. Rockwood Jr., MD, personally wrote several letters to individuals encouraging their participation. His words convinced many, including Lynn A. Crosby, MD, who joined the Shands Circle in 2007.

“I spent some time this past summer with Dr. Rockwood,” said Dr. Crosby. “After listening to him talk about the Shands Circle and how important it was to him, I was convinced to join.”

Dr. Rockwood’s influence, however, wasn’t the only motivation for Dr. Crosby. “My chairman from residency, the late Dr. John Connolly, believed in the old saying ‘you make a living by what you get; and you make a life by what you give,’” said Dr. Crosby. “We must encourage research at all levels of training and practice to continue to improve our profession.”

Maintaining a legacy
Joseph E. Mumford, MD, and his wife Suzanne were also inspired to give by another individual—his grandfather, who had left him a life insurance policy before he began his career and family. “I didn’t need it, but I kept paying premiums out of respect for my grandfather,” said Dr. Mumford. “Joining the Shands Circle seemed a win-win situation: We were able to put the policy to good use, not from a personal perspective as perhaps was my grandfather’s intent, but to help advance orthopaedic research and patient care. I’m sure my grandfather would have been pleased with our decision.”

To become an OREF Shands Circle member, or to invite a colleague to join, contact Ed Hoover, vice president, development, at hoover@oref.org or (847) 384-4354. For more information on planned giving, please visit www.oref.org/giftplanningguide

Amy Kile is a public relations specialist with OREF. She can be reached at kile@oref.org

Shands Circle Membership
Shands Circle members may designate a portion of their commitment to one or more of the established endowment funds, including the OREF fund, which supports research and education benefiting all of orthopaedics. Collectively, these funds provide a permanent source of principal that is continually invested and reinvested to support orthopaedic research in perpetuity, giving Shands members the satisfaction of knowing they have made an investment in the future of orthopaedic knowledge. As of Dec. 1, 2007, the Shands Circle included:

• 21 Platinum Members…$1 million or more
• 9 Gold Members…$500,000+
• 9 Silver Members…$250,000+
• 31 Bronze Members…$100,000+
• 339 Copper Members…$20,000+

Benefits of membership

• Shands Circle lapel pin
• VIP housing at the AAOS Annual Meeting
• Invitations to OREF’s annual Shands Circle Gala, a black-tie-optional dinner and reception (The 2008 Gala will be held at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco on Thursday, March 6.)
• Access to OREF’s exclusive VIP suite at the AAOS Annual Meeting
• Significant recognition at the OREF exhibit, as well as at other orthopaedic meetings and in OREF publications