Why did you join AAOS?
I joined because it is the go-to resource for continuing education and keeping up on techniques and science. That was at a time when the ORS met with the AAOS making it the highlight of the year. I will tell a funny story about my joining. When I passed the ABOS in September 1973, I was so excited I tore up the letter which had the concurrent application to the academy. Delay of game penalty, one year.
Do you currently volunteer with a committee? If yes, which one(s)?
Yes, I am still on the Resident Bowl Question Writing Committee.
How do you define success?
I allude to the attached article. I retired in 2011, became Emeritus and during the 4 years of that retirement completed the 8th edition of “A Manual of Orthopaedic Terminology”. My wife and I wound up raising our 3-year-old grandchild in 2014 and moved back to Michigan from California. It was the best thing that could have happened. I am part time clinical and writing a “Basic Science Tip of the Week". Starting in 2009 these tips were directed to our residents at Ford. I am on tip #584 and over the past 4 years some have been written directly for ORS newsletter “ORS Connect”. One of the tips appears monthly in the JBJS “OrthoBuzz”. As minor as that is, to me it is success.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
No specific person. However, the members of the ORS who are clinician scientists and accomplished surgeons would lead the list.
What do you love most about AAOS?
I love to attend the scientific exhibits and posters. These allow me time to pick, choose, and revisit.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Pretty simple, stay with your passion and, as time passes, let that passion change to match your gifts. Always make family number 1.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I love to walk, particularly when there is a chance that I might find fossils, beach glass, or native American artifacts in corn fields.