AO NORTH AMERICA NEWS

NASEC Summary of Activities

by Mitchel B. Harris, M.D.

A major reorganization in the structure of AO Spine Education occurred this year. At the Davos Spine Courses this past winter, the first meeting of the AO Specialty Board for Spinal Surgery took place. With the development of this new organization, the North American Educational Committee will fall under the direction of an International Spine Education Committee. This International Committee is chaired by Dante Marchesi. (Formerly, we reported directly to AONA.) We were pleased that both Randy Chesnut and I (sitting Chair of NASEC) were invited to participate on this International Committee. It is hoped that this reorganization will facilitate cooperative efforts on an international level, and introduce the use of those educational models that have proved successful in Europe, Asia and South America into the North American Educational initiatives. Other members of the North American Faculty who have accepted positions on the Board include Drs. Jens Chapman and Mike Janssen. The NASEC and the North American teaching faculty are firmly committed to the development of increasingly stronger ties with AONA as well as to coordinate our educational efforts on a worldwide basis. Additionally, it is hoped that this new worldwide organization will afford many members of the North American Faculty an opportunity to become actively involved in teaching at international courses.

Mitch Harris, M.D. (center) with his wife, Beth, and Mr. Liam Murphy, a surgeon and AO Trustee from Great Britain

This year has also been successful with respect to new course offerings. The first Resident's Spine Course was a huge success. Subsequently, the second and third courses are on the books to occur in Redondo Beach, California, March 31- April 1, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 10-11. Similar to the approach we initiated with the Comprehensive and Interactive Courses, it is our intent to further refine this new concept before soliciting an external audit from a respected and unbiased spinal educator.

We are also preparing for the first of many weekend spine symposia. The initial topics selected are spine tumor management, deformity and spinal trauma. These will be aimed at active spine surgeons in the community who want an update on the most current concepts and access to a forum where they can receive assistance with their more difficult spinal conditions.

We would welcome any ideas or suggestions for new faculty or educational initiatives. We are anxious to increase our faculty numbers, and are dedicated to making the spinal educational programs balanced, with both neurosurgical and orthopaedic perspectives.

Please feel free to e-mail me with your comments/suggestions: miharris@wfubmc.edu.