AFSH Invites You to Reserve Your Permanent Spot in the Chase Library
New School Year an Opportunity to Inspire Tomorrow's Physicians
Having been started four years ago as the Military Task Force, the ASSH's Military Relations Committee is now in its third year.
The goal of this committee is to assist members of the US Armed Forces in the improvement of hand care, education and resources. The committee consists of both ASSH military members and civilian members, and it meets at the Annual Meeting, the annual Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SOMOS) meeting, and via teleconference throughout the year.
Through the assistance of the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand (AFSH), the committee was happy to continue active duty military scholarships to attend this year's ASSH Annual Meeting. Those who were interested in learning more about hand surgery and networking with leaders in the field but were unable to secure funding from their military facility were encouraged to apply. Applicants included those in training as well as staff surgeons from all three military service. As expected, there was excellent competition, and the following surgeons were this year's scholarship winners:
- LCDR Jorge L. Brito, Naval Hospital Jacksonville
- CPT (P) Jonathan Dickens, Walter Reed National Medical Center
- Maj. Matthew L. Drake, Tripler Army Medical Center
- Maj. Derek F. Ipsen, Walter Reed National Medical Center
- LCDR Leo T. Kroonen, Naval Medical Center San Diego
- LCDR Jason A. Nydick, Pensacola Naval Hospital
- LCDR Scott M. Tintle, Walter Reed National Medical Center
Contact the ASSH membership team (
membership@assh.org) if you should be noted as an active duty military surgeon.
In addition, members of the Military Relations Committee coordinated both an instructional course – "The Nexus of Military and Civilian Upper Extremity Trauma: Salvage Decisions and Length Preservation" – and a symposium – "Innovative Treatment for Combat Injuries in the Upper Extremity" (recording available in October 2012) – at this year's Annual Meeting to address complex reconstruction issues for war-related injuries.
The ASSH has continued to play a role at the annual meeting of the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SOMOS) by hosting a luncheon where interested individuals can network, discuss difficult cases, and get opinions from leaders in the field of hand surgery.
The committee continues to search for new ways and ideas to further its goals and is appreciative of all the support as our country has been in an armed conflict for over a decade.
Eric P. Hofmeister, MD
Chair, Military Relations Committee
I recently began my term as President-Elect of the ASSH as well as Chair of the Journal Advisory Group of Council, and as such, I have stepped down as Review Editor of JHS. My exit has created a vacancy in this vital role, and the Journal Advisory Group is seeking a replacement.
Since the first issue was published in July 1976, JHS has been an important forum for hand and upper extremity surgeons. The Review Section was introduced in 2008, and it has been a valuable addition, covering four areas: Surgical Technique, Current Concepts, Evidence-Based Medicine and In Brief.
If you are interested in helping carry on this rich tradition as Review Editor, please visit the
ASSH website for details and to learn how to apply. A monetary stipend is attached to this position. The deadline for applications is November 5, 2012.
If you have questions, please call the ASSH Central Office at 312-880-1900.
Sincerely,
Scott H. Kozin, MD
The Chase Library – named in honor of Robert A. Chase, MD, a leader in the field and past ASSH President – was dedicated during a reception on Saturday, September 8, at the new ASSH Central Office in downtown Chicago.
Members of the ASSH Council, past ASSH Presidents and others were on hand to celebrate Dr. Chase's career and tour the Library.
To commemorate its 25th anniversary, the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand (AFSH) has launched the Our Future in Hand campaign to fund upper extremity research, education and outreach.
You can join the drive that got off to an incredible start last week at the Annual Meeting.
Those who make a "Leadership Circle" commitment to donate $25,000 or more over five years will have their hand cast, and the cast will be used to create a personalized plaque that will be displayed on a wall (pictured left) in the Robert A. Chase, MD Library at the new ASSH Central Office in downtown Chicago.
Space is limited, and 39 donors have already joined at the Leadership Circle level. To join the Leadership Circle, visit the
25th anniversary page on the ASSH website.
OrthopaedicsBhutan: Volunteers are needed in Thimphu and Mongar. Volunteers interested in Thimphu are needed for one month in January 2013. Volunteers interested in Mongar are needed for six weeks this fall or early winter. Volunteers for Mongar must have previously volunteered with the program in Thimphu or have extensive volunteer experience. Please contact the
program department for more information.
Hand Surgery/Hand TherapyNicaragua: Two certified hand therapists and two board certified hand surgeons are needed October 20-27, 2012. PTs and OTs provide clinical training as part of a team. Please contact the
program department for more information.
Hand Society History: Michael L. Mason, MD (1895-1963)
Michael L. Mason was a student at Northwestern University when he was recruited into the Army during Word War II. He was assigned to the 12th General Hospital, which included hand surgeon Sumner Koch, MD.
This experience led Mason to study medicine and ultimately to his association with Dr. Allen Kanavel and Koch in Chicago.
Dr. Mason received his medical degree from Northwestern University in 1924. In 1926, he joined the practice of Drs. Kanavel and Koch at Wesley Hospital and Northwestern University Medical School.
Dr. Mason's significant contributions to the field of hand surgery included the study of the rate of healing of tendons. He also contributed with Drs. Kanavel and Koch on surgical treament of Dupuytren's contracture, treatment of tuberculous tenosynovitis, and the management of tumors in the hand.
Dr. Mason was a founding member of the ASSH in 1946 and served as its President from 1951 to 1952.
Thank You to AFSH DonorsJoshua M. Abzug, MD
Julie E. Adams, MD
Edward A. Athanasian, MD
Mark E. Baratz, MD
John M. Bednar, MD
George P. Bogumill, MD, PhD
Gordon A. Brody, MD
Richard I. Burton, MD
Michelle G. Carlson, MD
Robert H. Clayburgh, MD
Randall W. Culp, MD
Edward Diao, MD
Michael J. Dunn, MD
Michael J. Epstein, MD
Marybeth Ezaki, MD
Steven Z. Glickel, MD
Samuel C. Hoxie, MD
Leo T. Kroonen, MD
Jerone T. Landstrom, MD
Stanley R. Lehman, MD
L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS
David M. Lichtman, MD
James Tseng-Chin Lin, MD
Steven L. Moran, MD
Dennis B. Phelps, MD
Frank J. Raia, MD
Milan K. Sen, MD
Stephanie Sweet, MD
James R. Urbaniak, MD
Arnold-Peter C. Weiss, MD
Lawrence E. Weiss, MD
Barbara Jane Wilson, MD
Jennifer Moriatis Wolf, MD
Jeffrey Yao, MD
Did you know you can support the Foundation (AFSH) through automated monthly payments? Visit www.afsh.org/donate to complete an auto-pay form, or contact afsh@assh.org.
Any child can grow up to become a physician. He or she only needs a little inspiration – the kind that means the most coming from a physician or medical student.
That inspiration could come from you, encouraging today's children to grow into tomorrow's physicians. With schools nationwide back in session this month, one way to do that is by visiting a school in your community. And the AMA Doctors Back to School™ (DBTS) program can help.
Read more.
Physicians Unite in Urging Congress to Nullify 2 Percent Medicare Sequester - from AMAThe AMA is calling on Congress to nullify the 2 percent Medicare cut required under the Budget Control Act of 2011 in a
letter co-signed by more than 100 state and specialty medical societies.
Read more.