President's Message
Excerpt from the
April 2006 SOMOS Newsletter
On behalf of the members of SOMOS, I would like to thank CAPT Dan Unger and LCDRs
Joel Stewart and Don Carr for hosting the 47th Annual Meeting in Orlando this past
year. The Gaylord Palms provided a great venue to have an excellent scientific and
social program.
SOMOS 2006—Hawaii is quickly approaching. I would like to invite you to attend the
Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeon’s 48th Annual Meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian
Village, Waikiki, HI, 11-16 December 2006. The scientific program committee under
the direction of LTC John Devine, has assembled and confirmed a tremendous list
of guest speakers. In addition to these visiting faculty, the scientific program
will again include current relevant research from SOMOS members. Abstracts can be
submitted beginning on 1 May, and the deadline for abstract submission is August
1st. A preliminary agenda has been formulated, and the can be viewed at www.somos.org.
Book your room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village early. Follow the links on the www.somos.org
website for hotel reservations. Although the SOMOS week will be packed with educational
and social events, we have also scheduled some free time for you and your family
to enjoy Hawaii and Waikiki Beach. We welcome all members, non-members, guests,
and spouses to this wonderful venue for what will truly be an exciting and enjoyable
educational experience.
SOMOS and military orthopaedics has continued to be increasingly recognized by our
civilian counterparts, the AAOS, and the OTA. The AAOS sponsored a collaborative
“Extremity War Symposium” in January, bringing together leading civilian orthopaedic
traumatologists with the military orthopaedic leadership, to assist in the evaluating
wound/fracture care and to assist in developing research objectives in the ongoing
war surgery patients we are caring for. The results of this symposium were highlighted
at the AAOS Annual Meeting last month in Chicago. In addition, over the past year,
the AAOS has continued the reduced membership rate for active duty military orthopaedic
surgeons (50%), and the AAOS has also introduced ‘military pricing’ where active
duty military orthopaedic surgeons can purchase Academy products and courses at
reduced rates. See the news headlines on the www.somos.org website.
The OTA, under the direction of CAPT (ret) Mike Bosse (SOMOS member), has designated
2006, the “Year of the Military Orthopaedic Surgeon”, and has offered free OTA membership
to all active duty military physicians. See the news headlines on the www.somos.org
website. Additionally, the OTA will have a special session at their annual meeting
highlighting the military orthopaedic surgeon, and the OTA has welcomed our attendance
at their annual meeting 5-7 October 2006 in Phoenix, AZ (www.ota.org).
The T.R.U.E. Research Foundation has continued to play a key role in the growth
of our society’s success. They have continued to manage our annual meetings and
they have continued to manage the SOMOS website. The www.somos.org website has had
daily improvements, including a “What’s New” section (which highlights recent news
for our members), a SOMOS job board (for posting of orthopaedic positions available
for our members), and a membership link for initiating or continuing your SOMOS
membership (and paying your dues). Jennifer Bennett (j.bennett@trueresearch.org)
has done a tremendous job at T.R.U.E. in support of SOMOS.
CAPT Dan Unger, immediate past president, highlighted the SOMOS goals last year,
and noted that we ‘have the ability to influence and shape the future of military
medicine (thru SOMOS). There continues to be no other medical or surgical specialty
as critical to the success of our Armed Forces in fulfilling their mission as Orthopaedics.
We have taken the lead in joint medical collaboration thru our research committee
and thru our combat Trauma committee. Future collaborative efforts include (1) Tri-service
War Extremity Course, (2) continued development of advancements in operational and
clinical initiatives (i.e., military VAC), and (3) standardized musculoskeletal
injury data collection and EMR system’. It is my feeling that our future impact
on the direction of military medicine and military orthopaedics is limitless, especially
with the talented and dedicated orthopaedic surgeons within the DOD.
One other personal note—this newsletter marks the last newsletter that will be produced
by LTC(P) Craig Bottoni (2003 SOMOS President). As most of you are aware, Craig
was instrumental in hosting the highly successful 45th Annual Meeting in Hawaii,
and he has been a HUGE asset for this organization, including producing this quarterly
newsletter. I have personally benefited immensely from his guidance and mentoring
as I step into the SOMOS Presidency. I wish him well as he ETS’s from the Army and
he begins his private practice in Florida.
2006 is another landmark year for our organization, and it begins with strengthening
our organization by promoting membership. I have forwarded to every member on the
SOMOS roster, a reminder to pay their annual dues thru the www.somos.org website.
The links on the SOMOS website will allow members to access an on-line application,
dues payments, and address updating. Additionally, we must also encourage all active
orthopaedic staff and residents to be members. Benefits of SOMOS membership include
the quarterly newsletter, camaraderie with other SOMOS members, and Annual Meeting
discounts. Only thru strong and active membership, and a stable financial position,
can we continue to grow.
Edward D. Arrington
COL, MC
President, SOMOS 2006