New name and organization for "the Academy" William J. Robb, III, MD Secretary, AAOS Past PResidency, IOS The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, "the Academy", is currently in the midst of a reorganization that will better prepare it for the complexities of health care delivery during this next century. "the Academy" has traditionally been a 501-(c) 3 corporation which limits spending for "lobbying" and political advocacy to less than 20 percent of its' annual budget. In recent years AAOS spending increased significantly to support many socioeconomic programs needed by members and the specialty. Recognizing that these needs may grow even larger, "the Academy" has been reorganized into two parallel organizations, each with the same Board of Directors each supporting the same orthopaedic mission. A 501-(c) 3 corporation currently call the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons will support "the Academy's" traditional scientific porgrams. This corporation will retain programs concerned with physician and allied provider education, research, and patient education. These programs will be supported by "the Academy's" past financial reserves (which cannot be transferred without significant tax penalty) as well as a portion of annual dues. A new 501-(c) 6 corporation has been formed called Orthopaedic Surgeons of America. Revenues from the Annual Meeting as well as a portion of annual dues will help fund the start up of this organization that will be responsible for advocacy, lobbying, health policy, and Board of Councilors activities. This new corporation will consider the development of it's own political action committee to replace the current orthopaedic PAC. In February, at the Anaheim Annual Meeting, members of "the Academy" will be asked to vote on a series of bylaws amendments that, if adopted, may change the names of the two corporations. The 501-(c) 6 will accept in transfer the name of "the Academy" - The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as it carries the recognized "clout of the orthopaedic community in Washington and state legislatures. A new name for the 501-(c) 3 organization is currently under consideration by the Board of Director. Your input is important. Please contact me or your councilor with your thoughts. Your participation in the annual business meeting in Anaheim is also important and we look forward to seeing you there. Return to the IOS Newsletter Archive Educational Meetings and Program | Board of Directors | Residency | Find a Surgeon | Membership | Allied Association Links | Newsletter | Governmental Affairs | IAOS Main Page All material Copyright from the Illinois Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, all rights reserved.