The AOSSM community came together in Washington, D.C., July 13-16 for the 2023 Annual Meeting.
Nearly 2,700 attendees, including more than 2,000 sports medicine surgeons and healthcare professionals from across the field, joined in five days of education and networking. With 27 sessions featuring 500 expert faculty, the meeting provided the latest research, evolving best practices and insight into the challenges sports medicine surgeons face in practice each day.
The week officially kicked off with a salute to our nation from the U.S. military color guard before the first General Session, the first of many inspirational moments from the event. Course directors Stephen Brockmeier, MD, and Robin West, MD, welcomed the audience before the first general session each morning for a day packed with research and education.
President Mark Miller, MD, was escorted to the stage by our distinguished Past Presidents to deliver the annual President’s Address on Friday. His theme “LI,” borrowing from the Super Bowl moniker, highlighted a year of Improvement, Innovation, Inclusion and Inspiration. The address was followed by the annual medallion exchange with now-President, Dean Taylor, MD. Dr. Miller also moderated a Game Changer session Saturday afternoon, focused on the impact of strong leadership on organizational culture, performance and patient outcomes. Gen. Edward Rice, Jr., delivered a lecture on Lessons in Leadership from his military career, followed by a panel discussion with insight from across the field of sports, including journalism, the business office and the operating room.
18 partner organizations from around the world joined us in Washington, D.C., to deliver educational content with a unique perspective. Among the many successful sessions:
- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Biologic Association hosted a pre-meeting conference Wednesday. A full room heard the latest advances in biologics research and practical application in “The Next Generation of Orthobiologics.”
- ISAKOS hosted “Global All-Stars of Arthroscopy,” a general session with live surgical demos from the OLC Mobile Lab that compared international approaches for a range of procedures.
- The FORUM hosted an all-star panel focused on “The Aging Athlete” on Friday afternoon. The FORUM is comprised of renowned leaders in sports medicine and women who are pioneers in the treatment of sports related injuries.
In addition, the J. Robert Gladden Society once again hosted a meeting and reception during the AOSSM Annual Meeting. This year, AOSSM Past President Clarence Shields, MD (pictured) gave the inaugural lecture named in his honor about the work undertaken by the Team HEAL Foundation to bring excellence in sports medicine care to underserved high school athletes in the Los Angeles area. Learn more in the winter issue of Sports Medicine Update.
The Annual meeting is an opportunity to recognize members’ accomplishments and discoveries. At Wednesday night leadership dinner, Dr. Miller presented several Society Awards, including:
- The Brady Community Service Award to K. Donald Shelbourne, MD
- The Rovere Education Award to James Bradley, MD
- Two Circle of Honor Awards to Jack McVicker and Smith+Nephew
The dinner also recognized the awardees for outstanding research presented at the meeting. The awards for excellence in publishing in AOSSM journals were given Thursday evening at a special dinner and ceremony led by Editor-in-Chief Bruce Reider, MD.
Among The Society’s highest honors are the Robert E. Leach Award for sports medicine leadership, and the Hall of Fame. This year, Ned Amendola, MD (pictured with Vice President Christopher Kaeding, MD), received the Leach Award for his innumerable contributions to AOSSM and the field, including as Past President and faculty, author and publisher, educator, researcher, team physician and surgeon. The Hall of Fame welcomed four new inductees: J.W. Thomas Byrd, MD; John Fulkerson, MD; Richard J. Hawkins, MD; and Mary Lloyd Ireland, MD.
The largest sports medicine-focused Exhibit Hall in the country served as the business and networking hub of the meeting. 85 companies highlighted the best of industry advancements all in one place, on full display during the Opening Night Welcome Party on Thursday. The hall featured the OLC Mobile Lab, providing live surgical demonstrations, as well as the Keystone Theaters where corporate partners discussed research, technology and improvements in patient care.
Two more coveted awards were given in the Exhibit Hall. The AOSSM Masters Competition took place on Thursday, with two winners, Jeffrey Dugas, MD, and Aaron Krych, MD, taking home red jackets. The ACE Award, recognizing exceptional innovation from exhibitors, was given to the MISHA Knee System from Moximed and the BEAR Implant from Miach Orthopaedics.
In addition to the Masters Competition, the annual Playmaker Grant Lab, generously sponsored by The Aircast Foundation, was a resounding success! Researchers presented their proposals “Shark Tank” style to a panel of judges and a lively, standing-room-only crowd. Three grant proposals from Henry Ellis, MD; Kristen Nicholson, PhD; and Michael Yu, PhD were funded. See the full details on our Research Awards page.
One of the most important parts of the Annual Meeting is the opportunity to connect directly with colleagues and friends to share experiences and form lasting bonds. The week culminated in a beautiful reception at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. More than 700 party-goers socialized with colleagues and family, enjoyed lively music and viewed the many exhibits—including “Leveling the Playing Field,” an inspiring collection exploring the contributions of Black athletes both on and off the field.
You can view the professional photos from the AOSSM 2023 Annual Meeting online and download your favorites with PIN 7720. Don’t miss out next year! Mark your calendars for July 10-14, 2024 to join us in Denver. Hotel reservations are available now; registration opens in January.