Sometime around 2015, I became acquainted with the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). The introduction was an invitation to participate in their Workers’ Compensation and Musculoskeletal Injuries Course. Since then, I have been fortunate to travel to some great locations including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, and San Antonio to deliver some thoughts, usually in the vein of credibility. In fairness, some destinations have been more engaging than others.
This year, I will participate again in the 27th Annual. Thus, despite a number of years invested, this program has been ongoing far longer than I have been involved. 27 years is a long time, taking us back to the last century.
The program has a simple (perhaps deceptively so) purpose: the education of "Orthopaedic surgeons and other physicians who:"
"Treat workplace injuries or evaluate medical liability casesPerform IMEs or wish to cultivate their treatment approach for occupational injuries."
The diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease is a challenging part of medicine. I have learned much about that by listening to various physician speakers over the years. The physicians who drive and teach this program are incredibly talented, focused, dedicated, and committed to both the art of medicine and the science of diagnosis and treatment.
The last time I travelled to participate was to San Antonio in 2022. The setting was spectacular, although that city's fastidious tendencies proved distracting. They clean the streets each morning with gasoline-powered leaf blowers. That noise at 04:00 can be disturbing to many who find the dark hours each day an opportune time for sleep and rest. Not me, mind you, but some people.
Then the programming returned to "virtual" in 2023, where it will remain in 2025, for the third year. Much can be learned in virtual settings, but I lament the lack of personal contact and interaction. In various instances, I have seen outstanding speakers withdraw from participation in virtual opportunities. They do not see the value, do not appreciate the virtuality, and struggle with the tech. I get it.
To produce a virtual program, the Workers’ Compensation and Musculoskeletal Injuries Course necessitates pre-planning and preparation. The speakers have to produce and submit an outline months in advance. The PowerPoint and other materials had to be completed in July, and I recorded my video in August. The program is not until November.
Despite that long lead time and the feelings many have about virtuality, this program draws an incredible faculty. Because of that faculty, this program draws an outstanding, dedicated, and engaged audience. I have never been disappointed.
Recently, I attended the "rehearsal" for the program. The faces were familiar, and one commented that rehearsal was not really necessary because everyone present had presented in this format and on their topics for so many years. That is incredibly notable; these folks have been dedicated to this program for many years, some for decades, and a fair number of them have been involved for all 27 years. That alone is incredible.
Another point that is incredible is the dedication of attendees. I have delivered a few lectures over the years and travelled to some wonderful destinations. It is very common to find seminar attendees in the halls, on the town, or otherwise distracted. But the striking observation of my AAOS trips has always been the persistent attendance. The physicians who attend this course are in the room, in the conversation, and in the groove from start to finish. They make no excuses; they commit to the course. That is inspiring.
As I am honored to participate in this program, I think we could all reflect on the inspirations. We can develop and dedicate ourselves professionally. The faculty listed below are testament to that. We can all focus and attend, grab the knowledge and perspective, and be in the moment. When we take the time from family and day-to-day work to learn, we need to focus, remain in the moment, and really learn.
It is amazing to work with and be surrounded by dedicated, studious, and engaged experts. I am looking forward to yet another opportunity in November this year. I am grateful to be invited and proud to participate in the laudable purpose of raising consciousness, adhering to science, and delivering value in the challenging world of occupational injury, treatment, and impairment determination.
The Workers’ Compensation course faculty includes:
J. Mark Melhorn, MD, FAAOS
The Hand Center at Mid-America Orthopedics, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Wichita – Department of Orthopaedics
Wichita, KS
Robert J. Barth, PhD
Barth Neuroscience, PC
Chattanooga, TN
R. David Bauer, MD, FAAOS
Orthopedic Independent Medical Examinations
Garland, TX
Charles N. Brooks, MD
Orthopedic Evaluations Northwest
Bellevue, WA
Eugene Carragee, MD, FAAOS
Standford University School of Medicine
Redwood City, CA
Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, MD, FAAOS
SpineCare and Forensic Medicine, PLLC
Tucson, AZ
Barry Gelinas, DC, MD
International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators
Dundee Township, IL
Kurt T. Hegmann, MD, MPH
University of Utah, RMCOEH
Salt Lake City, UT
Emily E. Heid, MD, FAAOS
IME Montana, PLLC
Missoula, MT
Mark H. Hyman, MD, FACP, FIAIME
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Doug Martin, MD
Center ofr Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, & Spine
Dakota Dunes, SD
David C. Ring, MD, PhD, FAAOS
Dell Medical School – The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
Mark Ross, MD
Riverside Health
Gloucester, VA
Richard, E. Strain, Jr, MD, FAAOS
Orthopaedic Associates of South Broward
Hollywood, FL
Matthew Winterton, MD
Midwest Hand to Shoulder Surgery
Chicago, IL
Marilyn L. Yodlowski, MD, PhD, FAAOS
Lake Oswego, OR
The Expert Witness Course that precedes it each year includes:
George B. Holmes, MD
Expert Witness Course
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, IL
J. Mark Melhorn, MD, FAAOS
The Hand Center at Mid-America Orthopedics, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Wichita – Department of Orthopaedics
Wichita, KS
Margaret P. Battersby Black, Esq.
Levin & Perconti
Chicago, IL
Steven A. Kodros, MD, FAAOS
Endeavor Health Orthopaedic Institute
Chicago, IL
Michael L. Vittori, Esq.
Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer P.A.
Chicago, IL
