Your COA / Votre association
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ing career planning and the focus of one’s research career. Dr. Bernard Morrey explained the eight important qualities that he looked for when he recruited orthopaedic surgeons: knowledge, judgment, hands, humanity, energy, integrity, selflessness, and creativity. Tiger and I then got to spend a half-day in the OR with Drs. Bernard and Mark Morrey observing a revision elbow surgery. This was a unique and memorable day as it was Dr. Morrey’s last case at Mayo Clinic (Figure 6). Drs. Kakar and Rose then took us to visit the Mayo sports centre in Minneapolis followed by Minnesota Timberwolves game.
the outdoor ropes challenge course with the CFI wounded warrior patients (Figure 7). We finished the tour with a dinner at Dr. and Mrs. Dowd’s home with residents and other staff.
Figure 6
Memphis, Tennessee: Campbell Clinic In Memphis we were hosted by Dr. Bill Mihalko (NATF 2003, ABC 2009). We got to stay at the Peabody Hotel and experienced Memphis barbeque and live music on Beale Street. Some of the fellows also visited Graceland and the National Civil Rights Museum. We were given a tour of the clinic and saw the new edition of Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics textbook in the works. While in Memphis, we had the opportunity to meet with Drs. James Beaty (ABC 1991, NATF 1984, AAOS President 2007), Terry Canale (AAOS President 2000) and Fred Azar (AAOS President 2014). Dr. Beaty encouraged us to be involved in our own hospital structure as a means to influence change. Dr. Azar stated that “managing people is the hardest thing to do in a leadership role.” Dr. Canale stressed the importance of spending time with our families and being involved in the local community. San Antonio, Texas: San Antonio Military Medical Centre Our final stop was Brook Army Medical Centre (San Antonio Military Medical Centre) in San Antonio, Texas, with Dr. Dan Stinner (NATF 2013) as our host. We started with an interactive journal club with the residents. We were fortunate to have a tour of the Centre for the Intrepid (CFI) and learned about the new advancements in prosthetic and physical therapy. Dr. Wenke showed us the US Army Institute for Surgical Research. We also got to test and try the firearms training facility. The most memorable part of this stop, if not the tour, was COA Bulletin ACO - Summer / Été 2016
Figure 7
The 2015 NATF tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We had the privilege of meeting orthopaedic leaders and visionaries, hearing their advice, and learning from their successes and experiences. We learned a lot and we will definitely bring back to our own institutions and lives invaluable lessons to enhance our our care towards our patients, the way we educate residents and our contributions to the field. Above all, this fellowship brought together five strangers from different backgrounds and life paths and created bonds and memories that will last throughout our lives. We would like to thank our families for understanding and encouraging us despite us being away for 30 days; our colleagues for their trust in us and their support during our absence; the COA and AOA for granting us this incredible opportunity; Dr. John Kirkpatrick (NATF 1993), Dr. Pascal Vendittoli, Kathy Sinnen and Cynthia Vezina for all their organization and administrative assistance throughout the tour; and all hosts for their outstanding and kind hospitality and friendship.