If you are interested in learning from the world's top educators or would like to become an educator, AOSpine is the ideal organization for you. In this issue of the newsletter, two exceptionally talented spinal surgery educators, Asdrubal Falavigna (BR) and Roger Härtl (US), share insights about medical education in Latin America, and about the latest innovations in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) education. We are delighted that both of them are very engaged with our organization.

 

AOSpine also offers opportunities to grow and to transform yourself into an educator. In this edition of the newsletter, you'll be able to read about AOSpine Fellows Alumni Steering Committee Chairperson Harry Gebhard, who shares the story of his path from AOSpine Fellow to faculty, and what it takes to get involved.

 

Furthermore, you will read the success story of the AOSpine Davos Courses, which are well known for their innovative educational programs. Please save the date for this year's courses on your calendar and join us from December 8-12, 2018 in Davos.

 

Moreover, this newsletter will introduce the AOSpine Knowledge Forum (KF) Trauma, which has been developing basic AO principles, classifications, severity scoring systems, treatment algorithms and outcome measures from the moment it was founded. The simple algorithmic approach allows clinicians to understand the basic trauma mechanisms.

 

I would also like to share an update with you about the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor. They delivered an advocacy event for the management of primary spine tumors in Toronto, Canada. Often, these complex operations are performed by spine surgeons who do not have the proper background and experience. If we want to improve the lives of spine cancer patients, this practice must change.

 

AOSpine's annual flagship event, the Global Spine Congress, is just two months away. The latest program updates and information about the AOSpine pre-courses can be found in the highlights section of this newsletter. Make sure you join us in Singapore in May and don't forget to attend the AOSpine Members Assembly on May 2, 2018, and to vote for the AOSpine Member Representative! If you are interested in applying for the AOSpine Member Representative 2019 position, the election process will start at the end of 2018. Information regarding the application process will be communicated to all AOSpine members later this year.

 

AOSpine's most important assets are its members and their commitment to our organization. Therefore we have decided to dedicate a section of our award-winning newsletter to them. In "Meet the AOSpine Members" I would like to introduce you to Justin Smith (US) and Luis Fernando Cruz Sánchez (GT). If you would like to share your own story, please send an e-mail to our editorial team at membership@aospine.org

 

I hope that you find this issue interesting and informative. I look forward to bringing you the next newsletter edition just before the Global Spine Congress in April 2018.

 

With best wishes,

 

Dan Riew

Chairperson,

AOSpine International

 

 

Asdrubal Falavigna

 

 

Roger Härtl

 

Knowledge Forum Trauma

 

Knowledge Forum Tumor

 

Global Spine Congress

 

 

Justin Smith

 

Luis Fernando Cruz Sánchez

 

 

Davos Courses

 

 

Harry Gebhard