April 2002 Bulletin

Annual Business Meeting

During the Academy’s Annual Business Meeting, held February 15 in Dallas, Fellows elected seven new members to the Board of Directors. They are: Glenn B. Pfeffer, MD, Secretary of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (COMSS); David G. Lewallan, MD, Chair-elect of COMSS; Peter J. Mandell, MD, Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Councilors; Stephen A. Albanese, MD, Member-at-Large; Gerald R. Williams Jr., MD, Member-at-Large; Edward A. Toriello, MD, Treasurer-Elect; and Robert W. Buchholz, MD, Second Vice President.

2001-2002 President Richard H. Gelberman, MD, recognized retiring members of the Board: Robert D. D’Ambrosia, MD, Second Past-President; Darren L. Johnson, MD, Member-at-Large; Thomas P. Sculco, MD, Member-at-Large; David A. Halsey, MD, Board of Councilors Chair; and Gary E. Friedlaender, MD, COMSS Chair. Thomas Einhorn, MD, retiring Chair of the Council on Research and Scientific Affairs was also recognized.

Fellows also approved two groups of changes to the Bylaws. The first group modified the procedure and voting process for adoption of resolutions and bylaws amendments. The second group changed the composition of the AAOS Board of Directors, with changes that include the addition of a lay member, the addition of the COMSS secretary as a Board member, and the addition of a Treasurer-Elect for a nonvoting, one-year term before assuming the position of Treasurer.

Three resolutions received a five-year review and were adopted as amended:

1. A resolution regarding the public relations efforts of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was modified to state, "Resolved that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shall appropriately fund and staff the Academy’s council on Communications to carry out this high priority."
2. A resolution regarding routine HIV testing for hospitalized patients was revised to state, "Resolved, that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shall adopt a policy that HIV testing of hospitalized patients shall be performed in the same unrestricted manner as any other laboratory test, at the order of attending physician without specific consent. In states requiring consent, patients shall be encouraged to participate in routine, voluntary, confidential HIV testing; and be it further Resolved that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shall advocate state and federal legislation encouraging HIV testing of hospitalized patients in the same unrestricted manner as any other laboratory test, at the order of the attending physician without specific consent."
3. A resolution regarding HIV-infected health care workers was revised to state, "Revolved, that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shall reiterate its position that HIV-infected orthopaedic surgeons should not perform invasive surgical procedures unless the patient is informed and consents; and be it further Resolved, that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shall continue to support its position that an HIV-infected orthopaedic surgeon should have his or her practice privileges determined by a local expert review panel, as recommended by CDD guidelines; and be it further Resolved, that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shall review and revise as appropriate the February 2001 Advisory Statement on Preventing the Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens."

In addition, an Association resolution to adopt a dues structure that incorporates a 50% reduction in dues for Fellows serving active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force, including military reservists who have been activated by the government, was also adopted.

Finally, Fellows will now be asked to elect members of the Nominating Committee. Fellows are asked to submit names of potential candidates for the 2003 Nominating Committee. Final selection of the Nominating Committee will occur by ballot in August 2002.