To promote public awareness of childhood obesity and the importance of exercise and building strong bones, the AAOS has joined forces with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to develop a new public service announcement (PSA). The new PSA aims to educate people about the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and weight-bearing exercises for children. Both AAOS President Tony Rankin, MD, and AAP President Renee R. Jenkins, MD, have been actively involved in the creation and development of this important message.

The print PSA is available in English and Spanish and will be distributed to newspapers and magazines nationwide. The message is also available in poster and postcard formats as a free resource to all AAOS members. To order a supply for your office, call Pat Julitz at (847) 384-4036.

Orthopaedics in the news
Recently, ABC News’ “Nightline” correspondent Juju Chang presented a story about adult stem cells and how this regenerative medicine is being used by orthopaedic surgeons to improve patients’ quality of life. A select number of orthopaedic surgeons are pioneering these new techniques; the “Nightline” report showcased Thomas A. Einhorn, MD, and George F. Muschler, MD, as well as two of their patients. The piece highlighted the groundbreaking work these doctors have been doing with adult stem cells. In both cases, the patient’s own live stem cells are being extracted and used to grow bone in other parts of the body.

Journalists honored
The recipients of the 2008 Media Orthopaedic Recognition Excellence (MORE) Awards were honored during a special ceremony and luncheon held during the recent National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference. (See “AAOS announces MORE Award winners,” page 63.) The third annual awards program honors media efforts that further public understanding of musculoskeletal health-related issues and encourage healthy behaviors in the care of bones, joints, muscles, and tendons.

The winners represent health and medical writers, producers and reporters across a variety of media, including print, broadcast (radio and television) and online outlets. Entries were judged by a panel of orthopaedic surgeons and media experts, based on each submission’s success in promoting greater awareness of musculoskeletal health and what orthopaedic surgeons treat, as well as creativity, accuracy and overall lasting impression.

Near the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the Academy bestowed a Special Recognition Award to CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier for her extraordinary efforts in continuing to bring awareness of musculoskeletal health issues, especially extremity war injuries, to the public.

You may recall that on May 29, 2006, while on assignment in Iraq, Ms. Dozier was critically injured in a car bomb explosion in Baghdad. Sadly, four others—a photographer, a soundman, an Army captain, and an Iraqi translator—were killed in the same explosion. Ms. Dozier credits the U.S. troops at the scene, as well as the doctors and orthopaedic surgeons at the Combat Support hospitals and hospitals here in the United States, for saving her life and her shattered legs.

Last year, while still recovering herself, she headed to Capitol Hill, along with Andrew N. Pollak, MD. They both testified before the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on the importance of funding the Orthopaedic Extremity Trauma Research Program.

Stories such as hers, and the wonderful work done by other reporters honored with MORE Awards, make a lasting impact on our patients, the public, and other audiences—including congressional leaders. I invite all AAOS fellows and members to help us identify excellent stories on orthopaedic-related topics, whether they appear in newspapers, magazines, television, radio, or online for future MORE Awards. Please send any information to the public relations staff at media@aaos.org

Frank B. Kelly, MD, is chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. He can be reached at fkelly@forsythstreetortho.com