MOS PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

I consider it a tremendous privilege to follow such a great number of successful and committed surgeons who have served as President of the Michigan Orthopaedic Society (MOS). This organization has been shaped over many decades into one of the most prominent and influential state orthopaedic societies in the country. The current board will continue to donate their time and efforts towards maintaining this status by continuing statewide orthoapedic education, advancing physician and patient centered legislation, and strengthening both camaraderie and interaction between our surgeons throughout the state. 

Orthopaedic education has been and will remain a fundamental goal for this society. We will continue to offer a winter meeting in January, focused on subspecialty lectures by attending surgeons from throughout the state. Mackinac Island will continue to serve as the location for the summer scientific meeting and will feature guest speakers from around the country in addition to showcasing many outstanding research projects from Michigan institutions. 

Political activism is necessary to maintain and promote an environment that protects our patients and enables our surgeons to deliver patient centered care of the highest possible quality. It is a form of indirect patient care, and if we do not advocate for our patients and our profession, both will suffer. Every year bills are proposed to expand the privileges of non-physician clinicians, trial lawyers seek to uncap malpractice claims, and insurance companies frequently propose changes to reduce reimbursement for services rendered. The state medical societies, including MOS, are at the forefront of opposing detrimental changes and we hope you will consider donating to our PAC fund to help!

As orthopaedic surgeons, it’s easy to become isolated while running a practice, treating patients, and managing all our other obligations. Meeting surgeons from across the state to share ideas, discuss business initiatives, and develop new friendships benefits all of us. The winter and summer meetings draw surgeons from across the state and are a unique opportunity to network with individuals from the same practice environment.

On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our Michigan orthopaedic surgeons for their dedication to outstanding patient care, and we appreciate everyone who is committed to making this organization one of the most respected in the country. The board and I ask that you consider joining the society that has the most influence in advocating for matters that will be most impactful to your practice. The bigger the society, the better educational events become, the louder our voice can be in Lansing, and the more unified we become as a profession.

Sincerely,

Edward Shields, MD

MOS President