This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
BLOG: Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society meeting is a great way to start AAOS meeting
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
On the first day of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, there was excitement in the air. More people from around the United States and world arrived in Orlando, Fla. for several days of education, networking and time relaxing by the pool. Coming from Chicago – spending at least a little time in the warm Florida sun will be on my agenda. I am also excited to be spending this final meeting as a resident along with my fellow chief residents from Rush University Medical Center (shout outs to Andy, Bryan, Nick and Mike).
I had the opportunity to attend the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS) Annual Meeting. I have been able to attend the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting for the past several years, so going to the RJOS Annual Meeting is something I look forward to each year. The RJOS Annual Meeting, which was organized by Leesa M. Galatz, MD, this year, is always outstanding. More important to me is that I truly enjoy the ability to network and connect with so many outstanding orthopedic surgeons who represent all specialties within our field.
It is amazing that the same core group of incredibly accomplished female faculty take the time to attend this meeting each year, along with a growing numbers of new faculty, fellows, residents and medical students. Seeing so many leaders in orthopedics, who are each committed to excellence, in one place every year makes me incredibly proud to be a RJOS member.
Rachel M. Frank
This year’s meeting was no exception. After a wonderful introduction from the outgoing president Kristy Weber, MD, the chair of the Professional Development Committee, Jennifer Weiss, MD, led an amazing panel of speakers on a topic critical to the professional development of orthopedic surgeons at all levels – how to choose a first job, switch to a new job and ultimately retire from the last job. As someone who is about to graduate residency and begin a fellowship, I found the topic and advice from each panelist to be incredibly insightful.
This panel discussion tied in nicely with the next portion of the RJOS Annual Meeting, which included an outstanding presentation by guest speaker, Rebecca Hollander Blumhoff, JD, PhD, professor of Law, at Washington University, who presented a captivating talk entitled “Negotiate for Success: Ask for What You Want To Get What You Deserve.” Negotiation is as much of an art as it is a science, and there is so much to be learned about it – not only with respect to jobs and contracts, but in all aspects of our personal and professional lives. Her lecture engaged the attention of the entire audience, and showed how critical it is to practice negotiating, particularly given the relatively low numbers of female orthopods in academic leadership roles. I found it especially interesting to think about what is seemingly a basic negotiation principle – understanding the differences between someone’s position (the what) and their interest (the why).
Overall, the RJOS Annual Meeting was a great way to start off the week. I am excited to be part of what promises to be another wonderful year. Congratulations to incoming president Lisa Lattanza, MD, and thank you to Dr. Weber for a truly outstanding year. – by Rachel M. Frank, MD
Rachel M. Frank, MD, is a fifth-year resident at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Disclosure: Frank reports no relevant financial disclosures.