March 5th, 2010
A Message from the ASSH President
A column from President Robert M. Szabo, MD, MPH
ASSH News
Improve Your Practice Website with One Easy Step
Resident and Fellow Scholarships
HVO Volunteer Opportunity for Orthopaedic Surgeons - Mongolia
Call for Applicants: Research Division Director
Foundation Announcements
Upcoming Research Grant and Award Deadlines
ASSH Courses and Meetings
65th Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts - Deadline, March 8, 2010
Self-Assessment Exam Registration - Deadline April 2, 2010
2010 Master Skills Series: Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist
General Orthopaedic Review
Comprehensive Review in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
Healthcare Reform News
SGR Update - From AMA
Medicare Participation Options for Physicians - From AMA
A Message from the ASSH President
Dear Members,
I set out this year with the thesis that “the Hand Society should engage in a multi-year, strategic effort to increase the scope, quality, and length of our fellowship training programs for hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder to two years and set as a goal offering our members and other qualified surgeons the opportunity to become primarily certified in upper extremity surgery or to continue certification by more conventional pathways.” While I believe this is a long-term goal and foresee the day of upper extremity residencies, I’m pleased that our task forces and Council has made substantial progress to date. The American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) under the leadership of their president, Gerald Williams looked favorably on working together with the ASSH on defining and expanding upper extremity education. We all agree to proceed carefully and thoughtfully and are considering this as voluntary.
The ASES Committee on Upper Extremity Surgery Education appointed Scott Steinmann to a steering committee and Marty Boyer chairs the ASSH steering development of a formal two year Upper Extremity fellowship committee on Upper Extremity Education. Together these committees have explored the development of a formal two year Upper Extremity fellowship track. Under the direction of Jim Chang, another ASSH Task Force has laid the groundwork for the content of a two-year Fellowship program of training that encompasses surgical training and didactic instruction for the entire upper extremity from the fingertips to the sternoclavicular joint. Both the ASSH and the ASES are committed to creating an educational opportunity for those individuals desiring training in shoulder, elbow and hand surgery. The ASSH and the ASES committees will continue to meet to create the curriculum content for such a fellowship experience. We are excited to move this project forward and identify fellowship sites to be co-branded by the ASSH/ASSH for a complete two year experience in Upper Extremity surgery. We will be looking for those fellowships that would like to participate as an initial pilot group of 2 year fellowships. We are also pursuing avenues for funding such fellowships. We will continue to update the ASSH membership on this process as it moves forward.
Respectfully,
Bob Szabo, Scott Steinmann and Marty Boyer
ASSH News
Improve Your Practice Website with One Easy Step
Connect your webpage to www.assh.org through link exchange! Simply enter your practice URL in your ASSH member profile so it will appear in "Find-a-Hand-Surgeon" and then post a link back to ASSH on your website.
What are the benefits of link exchange? Link exchange is a major part of internet marketing and will improve search engine listings on sites like Google and Bing, both for your site and the Hand Society's. It's one of the easiest, most inexpensive and efficient ways to achieve better ranking and traffic.
Here's how: login to www.assh.org, go to "My Profile" and edit your information to include the URL to your website. This will allow patients who find you while looking for a hand surgeon to immediately visit your site.
Next, include a link to www.assh.org on your webpage. Not only does this show the public and your patients that you are a member of the Hand Society, it also directs them to online information, such as disease-specific brochures.
Want to increase your online presence even more? Join the Hand Society's Facebook group or fan page to read and post hand related news and stay informed on upcoming events. It can serve as good model to create a page for your own practice and start a buzz about hand surgery in your community. Links to social media pages are another great way to increase search engine ranks!
Resident and Fellow Scholarships Now Available!
Through the generosity of the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand and our corporate sponsors, Stryker and OsteoMed, Residents and Fellows have the opportunity to win a scholarship to this years’ Residents and Fellows Conference and Annual Meeting. Learn more on our website.
HVO Volunteer Opportunities - Mongolia
for a complete list of opportunities, please visit us at www.hvousa.org
Orthopaedic surgeons needed for 2 - 4 weeks to train faculty and residents in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Specialty areas include pelvic and acetabular trauma, knee arthroscopy, pediatric orthopaedics, hand surgery, and other sub-specialty areas. Contact the program department for more information.
Call for Applicants: Research Division Director - Deadline to apply is March 19, 2010
The application for the Research Division Director position on the ASSH Council is now available.
Qualified candidates will have knowledge of, and commitment to, the ASSH Mission, Vision, Values and Goals as well as availability of time and energy to direct and coordinate the functions of all committees within the Research Division. Information about the qualifications, time commitments and specific duties can be found on the ASSH website.
If you are an interested candidate, or know someone well-qualified, please visit the ASSH website to learn more or complete the application. *Please send all supporting material via email to Alexzandra Wallace at awallace@assh.org, or fax it to (847) 384-1435.*
Foundation Announcements
The AFSH partners with Health Volunteers Overseas to fund the AFSH-HVO Young Surgeon Overseas program. If you have considered applying, be sure to do so no later than March 31, 2010. Learn more about hand surgery through HVO here.
Future In Hand pledge statements were sent to our partners in the capital campaign with a current balance due. Contact the central office at (847) 384-8300 if you have questions about your statement.
Upcoming Research Grants and Awards Deadlines
OMeGA Fellowship and Residency Grants - Deadline March 24
OMeGA Medical Grants Association’s application period is now half over, so hand programs looking for additional funds should apply now.
As a reminder, programs can apply for orthopaedic fellowship grants up to $75,000 and residency/general education grants up to $5,000 for the 2010-2011 academic year. Funds are awarded through a consistent, non-biased process, based on objective criteria, and independent of program size, personnel, or affiliation. One point to mention: while we use one application for all fellowship categories, criteria is weighted differently, or not at all in some cases, to reflect sub-specialty differences.
Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 24 at 5pm CST. Programs should visit the website to begin the application process. Any questions should be directed to info@omegamedicalgrants.org.
2010 Clinician Scientist Development Program - Deadline March 31
AFSH-HVO Young Surgeon Overseas Program - Deadline March 31
Basic Science and Clinical Research Grants - Deadline April 1
The Weiland Medal - Deadline April 1
Military Research Grant - Deadline April 1
Hand Surgeon-Scientist Award - Deadline December 1
ASSH Courses and Meetings
Can’t remember if you’ve already registered for a course? Login at www.assh.org, select "Members" then “My Transactions” in the left column. If you’ve registered, your registration will appear on this list. From here, you can also add sessions/tickets to an existing registration.
65th Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts
October 7-9 * Boston, MA
Scientific Paper Abstract deadline extended to March 8th!
UPCOMING DEADLINE! Don’t miss your chance to present your research at this year’s Annual Meeting! Deadline to submit your proposal is this Monday, March 8th. To learn more, visit the Call for Abstracts. *The residents and fellows abstract submission deadline has passed.*
Ready to submit? Visit the Abstract Submission Site. Questions? Contact Diana Shkap at dshkap@assh.org. Authors will be notified by the end of April whether or not they have been accepted into the program.
Self-Assessment Exam
Registration Deadline: April 2, 2010
REGISTER NOW
This examination is offered as a convenient self-education exercise by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and is available to the health care professionals focusing on the care of the hand and upper extremity. Designed to assist the physician in reviewing basic principles of hand care, the exam also helps to keep the physician abreast of new developments and concepts within the specialty. Cost for members is $155 and cost for nonmembers is $195.
The ASSH designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (TM). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. NOTE: Only those who return a completed answer sheet for computer scoring by June 11, 2010 (postmarked) will be eligible for CME.
Registration Deadline April 2, 2010
Examination book (Book 1) mailed to registrants April 19, 2010
Answer Sheet Deadline June 11, 2010
Discussion book (Book 2) mailed to registrants July 30, 2010
All registrants are confirmed by email. If you have not received email confirmation by April 5, 2010 please contact the ASSH Office via telephone at (847)384-8300 or email ddecker@assh.org.
2010 Master Skills Series: Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist
May 21 - 22, 2010
Orthopaedic Learning Center - Rosemont, IL
Registration Deadline: May 6, 2010
The Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist course is designed with an emphasis on adult learning with a case-based format, along with a hands-on cadaver workshop to provide you with the most current trends and techniques in trauma. Learn more about this program and review the registration fees by visiting the Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist webpage. Or, register now.
General Orthopaedic Review
July 15, 2010
Renaissance Downtown Hotel - Chicago, IL
Registration Deadline: June 21, 2010
Co-Sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
This one-day review course, brought to you by the AAOS and ASSH, prepares you for the general orthopaedic questions on the combined CAQ exam in Hand Surgery. Held just one day prior to the ASSH Comprehensive Review in Hand Surgery course, this is a convenient opportunity to review generally accepted principles of orthopaedics across the specialties and to prepare you to maintain your certification. A skilled faculty of experienced clinicians will focus on what you need to know in all the other specialty areas of orthopaedics for the exam. Review registration fees and program details on the General Orthopaedic Review webpage. Get started by registering online today.
Comprehensive Review in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
July 16-18, 2010
Renaissance Downtown Hotel - Chicago, IL
Registration Deadline: June 21, 2010
The ASSH Comprehensive Review Course is designed as an advanced review course and update for practicing hand surgeons. The course will review the topical concepts of anatomy, biomechanics and pathology as well as diagnostic and treatment methods relating to hand and elbow surgery. The faculty are recognized experts in hand surgery and have been selected for their knowledge, expertise and contributions relating to the subject matter they present. Learn more about this program and review the registration fees by visiting the Comprehensive Review Course webpage. Or register online today.
Healthcare Reform News
SGR Update - From AMA
On Wednesday afternoon, during Senate floor consideration of H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act of 2010, an amendment was offered by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) that would have postponed the scheduled 2010 Medicare physician payment cuts through the end of the year. Subsequently, the Senate passed, 54-45, a motion offered by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) to table the Grassley amendment. The Senate debate on H.R. 4213 is currently focused on a Baucus substitute to the House-passed version of H.R. 4213, which includes a provision that would keep the current Medicare physician payment freeze in effect until October 1, 2010. The AMAs advocacy efforts continue to stress the urgent need to permanently repeal the Medicare physician payment formula, and they remain opposed to any further short-term proposals. Learn more about the AMA's efforts.
Medicare Participation Options for Physicians – From AMA
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended the deadline for physicians to
change their Medicare participation or non-participation status in 2010 to March 17. CMS may or may not open another new par/non-par enrollment period at the end of any new short-term delay in the scheduled cuts so those who wish to change their status from participating to non-participating or from non-participating to participating may not be able to do so after March 17. Private contracting, a third option in which neither the physician nor the patient receives reimbursement from Medicare, is available on a year round basis.
To help ensure that physicians are making informed decisions about their contractual relationships with the Medicare program, the AMA has developed a brief overview of the current situation with respect to the Medicare payment updates for 2010 and the various participation options that are available to physicians. Read the overview on the AMA site.