ASSH Weekly Member Upd@te
________________________________January 30, 2009
Our Society
One Question
ASSH News
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NIH Reviewers Needed by February 2nd
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Apply Now to be an ASSH Committee Member
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Upcoming AFSH Grant Award Deadlines
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BSSH/ASSH Combined Meeting - Registration Now Open
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ASSH/ASHT Combined Meeting Call for Abstracts - February Deadline
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American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) Offers Two Grants in 09.
ASSH Courses and Meetings
Medical News
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Industry Takes a Hard Line on Interactions with Physicians
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Growing Medicaid Enrollment Strains State Budgets (from AAOS)
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Our Society
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Recently, one of our esteemed members, Gordon McFarland, passed away. Gordon was a very active member of the ASSH and during his tenure as TREASURER, he was instrumental in starting our Foundation. He convinced the entire Council to jump-start the fund-raising by donating $1000 each. This occurred at the in San Antonio in 1987. We all know the rest of the story and are proud to be part of defining future care for our patients through the AFSH.
Gordon and all of our departed members will be missed by all of us. Perhaps during the beginning of a new year, we might reflect on how fortunate we are to be members of the ASSH; to care for our patients; and to have friends and colleagues who care and make a difference in the lives of others.
Andy Koman
To comment on Dr. Koman’s column, visit his blog.
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One Question
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Last week’s One Question asked if you use vascular grafts for scaphoid fractures, and why or why not.
To review the responses we have collected, click here.
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ASSH News
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NIH Reviewers Needed – by February 2, 2009
The NIH recently asked specialty societies to nominate some of their members to be NIH grant reviewers and/or study section members. As we strive to promote more funding for hand surgery, it is particularly important that we have representation within the NIH so that our grants are adequately supported. We would like to know if any members would be interested in being nominated by the Hand Society for one of these positions to represent hand surgery. Nominees should have had R01 equivalent grants from the NIH.
Being a study section member is a significant time commitment. If selected to a study section, the members meet three times a year for six years. Each member reviews roughly ten grants, and each grant takes about 4-5 hours to review.
Please contact Sarah Meyer Hughes, by Monday, February 2nd if you are interested. For more information please visit the NIH website.
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Apply Now to be an ASSH Committee Member
Participation in American Society for Surgery of the Hand committees is one of the best ways to share your voice with the Hand Society and to contribute to our specialty. If you are a motivated, dedicated, and enthusiastic member, consider sharing your talents by applying to be a committee member.
To read more about each committee and it’s charges, visit the ASSH website. Once you know which committee you are interested in joining, take a few moments to fill out the online application.
The deadline for applications is Friday, February 13. Questions can be directed to Tara Havenga at the Central Office (thavenga@assh.org).
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Upcoming AFSH Grant and Award Deadlines
Hand Surgeon-Scientist Award – applications due December 1, 2009
Basic Science and Clinical Research Grant - applications due April 1, 2009
The Weiland Medal – applications due April 1, 2009
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BSSH/ASSH Combined Meeting – Registration Now Open
April 30 - May 1, 2009
The provisional programme and registration form for the BSSH/ASSH Combined meeting are now available on the BSSH website: www.bssh.ac.uk. There is a link to the meeting details on the home page of the BSSH website. If you have any queries relating to this, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Roberts (helen.roberts@bssh.ac.u.k) at BSSH.
View the programme.
Download a registration form.
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2009 Call For Abstracts
Upcoming Deadline - February 9
September 3-5, 2009 * San Francisco, California
2009 Combined Annual Meeting of the ASSH and ASHT
Bridges: Connecting the Past and the Future
The abstract submission site is now open to submit your proposals for the 2009 Combined Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). Interested in learning more? Download the official 2009 Call For Abstracts or visit the Hand Society’s Call For Abstracts online information page for important details then submit your proposal today!
2009 Online Abstract Submission Forms:
Already submitted an abstract but need to make a change? Visit the Abstract Service Center to edit your submission. Revisions can be made through the deadline listed above.
Questions about the abstract submission process? Contact Diana Shkap at dshkap@assh.org.
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American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) Offering Two Grants in 2009
The American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) has two grants available for 2009. Please go to www.ahtfgrants.com for more information, application instructions, and forms needed for submission. The application deadline is February 28, 2009.
AHTF Evelyn Mackin Traveling Hand Therapist Award
The AHTF Evelyn Mackin Traveling Hand Therapist is designed to fund a practicing occupational or physical therapist, who is a current member of the American Society of Hand Therapists or a Certified Hand Therapist, in traveling to various hand therapy facilities, in presenting on a specific domain of hand therapy, and in sharing the "pearls" of hand rehabilitation learned from the experience. This funding opportunity is $3,000.
AHTF Burkhalter New Investigator Grant
The AHTF Burkhalter New Investigator Grant is for clinical research in hand and upper limb rehabilitation. It was established in honor of Dr. William Burkhalter (1928-1992), a long time advocate and promoter of hand therapy. This funding opportunity is $4,000.
Please go to www.ahtfgrants.com to apply!
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ASSH Courses & Meetings
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2009 Advanced Techniques in Reconstructive Elbow Surgery
Registration Deadline: May 22, 2009
Online Registration Now Open!
Program Chairs:
David C. Ring, MD
Scott P. Steinmann, MD
This course will provide a state of the art update on open and arthroscopic techniques of elbow surgery. A renowned faculty of leading elbow surgeons will present lectures, panel discussions and hands-on training in the cadaver laboratory. Specific techniques covered in detail will be elbow arthroscopy, elbow instability, all elbow fractures, and arthroplasty. Course attendees will have the opportunity to perform all surgical procedures in the laboratory and are encouraged to bring problem cases for discussion with the faculty.
Course Objectives:
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Become familiar with advanced techniques of elbow surgery
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Learn arthroscopic techniques for the elbow
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Become familiar with all surgical approaches to the elbow for the most common procedures
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Recognize pitfalls of surgical techniques and how to avoid complications
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Understand the biomechanics of the elbow and learn how to perform surgical reconstruction for instability
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Learn state-of-the-art techniques for treatment of fractures of the distal humerus, radial head, coronoid and olecranon
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Become familiar with elbow arthroplasty techniques and how to avoid complications
CME Credit Hours
The ASSH designates this educational activity for a maximum of 16.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation
The ASSH is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Learn more by downloading the course brochure or visit www.assh.org to register online.
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2009 Self-Assessment Examination
Registration Deadline: April 3, 2009
Online Registration Now Open!
SAE Educational Objectives
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Detect and differentiate injury mechanisms, pathologies and applied anatomy associated with upper extremity conditions treated by hand surgeons
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Differentiate and apply the range of conservative and surgical treatment options to deal with upper extremity problems that present to a hand surgeon’s practice
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Develop informed evidenced-based guided clinical decision practice options in the treatment of upper extremity disorders
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Evaluate by self assessment basic cognitive, reasoning skills, and clinical aptitudes required of all hand surgeons in practice to complete maintenance of certification
This examination is offered as a convenient self-education exercise by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and is geared towards hand and upper extremity health care professionals. 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. The examination covers diagnostic and therapeutic problems, both surgical and non-operative, basic science knowledge, and fundamental principles of hand surgery. The interpretation of the illustrative material (clinical photographs and radiographs) is an integral part of this examination. The 2009 examination consists of the Question Book (Book 1) containing 150 questions, an answer sheet, evaluation, and the Discussion Book (Book 2) with preferred responses, discussion and literature references.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Registration Deadline – April 3, 2009
Deadline to return answer sheet – Postmarked by June 12, 2009
Discussion book mailed - July 31, 2009
ACCREDITATION
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
CME CREDIT HOURS
The ASSH designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. 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 12, 2009 will be eligible for CME.
Learn more about the Self-Assessment Exam by downloading the program brochure or visit the exam webpage to register online!
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Medical News
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For more on advocacy news and efforts, visit the ASSH health policy page.
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Industry Takes a Hard Line on Interactions with Physicians
The New York Times reported that London-based orthopaedic device manufacturer Smith & Nephew have issued company orders for executives and sales representatives to limit interactions with physicians at the AAOS Annual Meeting next month to occur between 9 am and 5 pm. The move is in response to federal government concerns over potentially improper financial ties between physicians and device makers.
The Advanced Medical Technology Association—an industry trade group—recently approved a major update to its "Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals." The code is designed to clarify appropriate and inappropriate activity between healthcare professionals and representatives of AdvaMed member companies. Read the updated code.
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Growing Medicaid Enrollment Strains State Budgets (From AAOS)
A nationwide survey with 40 states responding conducted by the New York Times finds that Medicaid populations in some states have grown by 5 percent to 10 percent over the last 12 months. Because Medicaid enrollment often lags behind job losses by several months, state officials say that the current surge may represent only the leading edge of heightened demand. State lawmakers are preparing to address the increased strain on state budgets through such options as freezing or reducing reimbursements, eliminating coverage options like dental and vision benefits, and narrowing eligibility for the programs. On the federal level, legislators are considering increasing federal aid to state Medicaid programs as part of an economic stimulus package.
Read more...
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ASSH Weekly Member Update is a member service.