Founded in 2010, the AAOS Education Enhancement Fund (AEEF) is a special resource created to help the Academy provide orthopaedic surgeons with innovative education programs. I chair the governance committee, which also includes Naomi N. Shields, MD; Annunziato (Ned) Amendola, MD; and Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD.

Each spring, we meet to evaluate cutting-edge project proposals in need of funding. At the 2012 Annual Meeting, the AEEF supported the introduction of enhanced posters, which were quite successful and popular. For 2013, we approved the following two projects for funding.

CME Course Pilot Project
The CME Courses Committee, chaired by Gerald R. Williams Jr, MD, submitted a proposal for a new multicomponent continuing medical education (CME) course concept. Course elements will be presented over a series of weeks and will incorporate webinar, video and multimedia presentations, teleconference small group discussions, self-assessment, and social media features that deliver a convenient, interactive learning experience. AAOS fellows will be able to participate and obtain CME credits without the hassle of travel or the time away from their daily practices.

Poster Enhancement Project
Back by popular demand, the Poster Enhancement Project will again enliven and extend the Annual Meeting learning experience. Submitted by Steven L. Frick, MD, this project will enable poster presenters at the 2013 Annual Meeting to add audio narration and explanation to their posters, essentially serving as a guide to the research. Attendees at the meeting will be able to listen to the presenter’s commentary—and interact by sharing their thoughts, comments, and questions—via smart phone, tablet, or computer.

Feedback from attendees and presenters alike about the 2012 Poster Enhancement Project was highly positive. AAOS members can still visit the enhanced poster exhibits from the 2012 Annual Meeting online at http://aaos.posterview.com

Do your part
The AEEF has reached nearly $500,000 in gifts and pledges to date, including gifts from 181 founding members. Its goal is to raise another $500,000 by the end of 2012. All donations are tax-deductible, can be offered in any amount, and will be recognized. Larger gifts can be pledged over a 3-year period. Please contact Bonnie Emberton, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) director of development, at 847-384-4353 or emberton@oref.org with any questions.

As part of the AAOS agreement with OREF, a portion of each contribution will support OREF projects. Because donations to the AEEF are earmarked for special education projects, contributions will not count toward Order of Merit status or Shands Circle membership.

Edward Akelman, MD, chairs the AAOS Council on Education and the AEEF Governing Committee.