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Portrait of the Macedonian Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MAOT)
We celebrated the 20th Foundation Anniversary
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The Macedonian Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MAOT) was established on 13 November 1993. This date does not mark the beginning of orthopaedics and traumatology in the Republic of Macedonia since it started a long time before it, but it has a special meaning as it marks the beginning of the successful attempt to create a strong bond between orthopaedics and traumatology, namely the two affined branches of medicine which started together a successful international cooperation. This resulted in EFORT (European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology) membership on 8 November 1996.
Ten Presidents have headed the Association so far: 1992-1994 – Prof. Dr. Ljupco Karevski, 1994-1995 – Prof. Dr. Ljupco Serafimov, 1996-1997 – Prof. Dr. Gjorge Zafiroski, 1998-2000 – Prof. Dr. Jordan Saveski, 2000-2002 – Prof. Dr. Gligor Dzolev, 2002-2005 – Prof. Dr. Mirce Simeonov, 2005-2007 – Prof. Dr Blagoj Mishev, 2007-2009 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Slavcho Stojmenski, 2009-2012 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zlatko Temelkovski.
The current President of the Association is Prof. Dr. Igor Kaftandziev, who was elected in November 2012. The mandate of each President is two years. Other members of the MAOT Board are the vice-president, Ass. Prof. Dr. Zoran Bozinovski, the secretary, Ass. Dr. Simon Trpeski, the treasurer, Ass. Dr. Oliver Arsovski, and the President of the Editorial Board, Ass. Prof. Dr. Milan Samardziski.
On 15-16 November last year we celebrated the 20th Foundation Anniversary by holding a symposium with 23 international participants who helped in promotion of the professional level of the symposium by their lectures and discussions. Confirmation of the excellent cooperation with EFORT was the presence of Ass. Prof. Dr. Per Kjaersgaard-Andersen, EFORT Secretary General.
During this period MAOT has organized 81 professional meetings where more than 1,300 topics were presented. Among them there were 3 national congresses with international participation, namely 1997 in Skopje, 2002 in Ohrid, and 2009 in Ohrid. There were also 4 international Macedonian-Japanese meetings, 1998 in Japan, 2000 in Macedonia, 2002 in Japan, and 2004 in Macedona. In 2011, we organized the 2nd Balkan Congress of Arthroscopy, Sport Traumatology, and Knee Surgery in Ohrid; and the 9th Meeting of the Spine Expert Group in Skopje. So far 332 foreign doctors visited the Republic of Macedonia and held their lectures only through our Association.
Since 1998, 14 Macedonian young residents have participated in the EFORT Fellowship Program in Italy, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, and France. We highly appreciate this program since it gives the European experience to doctors in the field. There are many more programs we have participated in such as: EFORT Visiting Fellows, EFORT Forum, EFORT Fora, FORTE Group, etc., which only confirms the fruitful cooperation with EFORT.
We have also started a successful cooperation with the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) and realized four fellowships through the AAOS Scholarship Award Program in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
The main goal of the Macedonian Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in the future would be to support education and professional development of its members. MAOT has promoted its own scholarship program yearly for younger doctors that will contribute to their education and professional development, as well as to the progress of the profession in the country.
Through its activities, MAOT will help all its members to understand the medical problems that are closely connected with orthopaedics and traumatology. This concerns the medical professionals and the social community, too. There is also a close connection and cooperation with the Medical Faculty at University “Ss Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje.
Currently, the Association has 105 active members from all over the Republic of Macedonia. The number of members has been continually growing and it started with only about 50 members. Despite the fact that the greatest number of members comes from the University Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinics of the Medical Faculty Skopje, there are also members from each Medical Center in the bigger cities and from several private hospitals in Skopje.
The orthopaedic and traumatology surgeons in the country recognize MAOT as a professional association where they can find their interest for permanent promotion and development. There are 51 honorary members from other countries. Today, MAOT is a respected professional association, which has permanent cooperation with EFORT, AAOS, ISAKOS, SEG, ESTES, ESSKA, AO, and other related organizations. Following the trends in the world, the meetings of MAOT have diversified and they are focusing on specific problems in the field of orthopaedics and traumatology.
This resulted in establishing a several specialist sections. MAOT was the founder of the idea for establishing the Balkan Association of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Sport Traumatism. MAOT strongly supports Spine Expert Group Meetings, as well. MAOT will also continue to maintain close cooperation with affined associations in the region by different ways of cooperation in order to widen and promote our common activities.
- info
- Contact MAOT: madotmk@gmail.com
- authors:
- Dr. Igor Kaftandziev, MAOT President
- Ass. Prof. Dr. Zoran Bozinovski, MAOT Vice-President
- Mrs. Marija Tanevska-Pulios, MAOT Executive Secretary