Consider opportunities in the face of challenges, new AAOS president says

LAS VEGAS — In his incoming presidential address, “Sow’s ears, silk purses and heap ash: Turning challenges into opportunities,” new American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) president Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, discussed the challenges facing orthopedic surgeons today and asked the audience here to consider the opportunities that these obstacles may present.

“Just as the world and our country face challenges, so does our academy and the over 35,000 orthopedic surgeons we represent,” Zuckerman said.

He cited increased government involvement in the practice of medicine and legislative issues such as the Medicare physician payment formula and liability reform as challenges.

“Our role in the political arena has never been more important than it is today,” he said. Zuckerman also highlighted repercussions from the Department of Justice agreements and patients’ perception of surgeons as high-tech and low-touch as obstacles.

During his address, Zuckerman urged members to support the efforts of their political action committee and academy efforts.

“These are indeed challenging times, but there are different ways to look at even the most challenging situations,” he said. “Overall, I think that I am a very positive person. For me, the cup is half-full. It is not half-empty. [Each] and every day, I am thankful to be an orthopedic surgeon and to be part of a specialty that does so much to enhance the quality of life for millions of patients.”

He added, “As orthopedic surgeons we can have such an important impact on the lives of so many patients, and the care that we can provide can be among the most satisfying of any specialty. With your help, we can respond to the challenges that we face and turn those challenges into opportunities.

“I am fully committed to this, and I look forward to working with you to make this a reality,” Zuckerman said.