The AAOS's Annual Meeting: A reflection of the academy?

Dr Sarmiento is from the University of Miami, Florida. Dr Sarmiento has no relevant fi nancial relationships to disclose. Correspondence should be addressed to: Augusto Sarmiento, MD, University of Miami, 10333 SW 72 Ave, Miami, FL 33156 ([email protected]). doi: 10.3928/01477447-20100429-02 Having had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) for 8 consecutive years, and as its President in 1991, I feel I have gained suffi cient insight to justify voicing my opinion on the evolution of its Annual Meeting, which in my opinion is a mirror refl ection of the organization itself. I recently contacted John Callaghan, President of the AAOS, and shared with him my concerns about the manner in which the Annual Meeting of the Academy seems to be evolving. He responded in a positive way, reassuring me that the Academy is addressing in earnest the issue at hand. The following paragraphs summarize my stated concerns. The Annual Meeting is a major spectacle, which is often portrayed as the prime example of a truly comprehensive educational venture that has made a major contribution to the prestige of our discipline. However, a serious analysis of this important component of the Academy should be undertaken to determine if, in the process of evolution, the Annual Meeting has lost some of its value and become a less-than-ideal fi ve-ring circus. For 8 consecutive years, I listened to the Chairman of the Annual Meeting give his report to the Board of Directors. Every time I asked the Chairman, “What is the main criticism you have heard about the Meeting?” I received the same answer, “It is too big.” However, it is interesting to note that every subsequent year the meeting was bigger. The growth of the event can be justifi ed in several ways, because additional constructive components have been gradually added. Nonetheless, I also fi nd it diffi cult to justify its current size. The most recent meeting in New Orleans included at least 1000 commercial exhibits covering the area of a major Olympic stadium, staffed by a number of employees that outnumbered the yellow-badge wearing Academy members by at least 3 to 1. Following his visit to the Commercial Exhibits, the president of the Australian Orthopaedic Association in the early 1990s commented that the “show” was “obscene.” I agreed with him. The agenda of the recent meeting included 38 multimedia educational programs; 27 symposia; 720 podium presentations;