Letter from President IAOMS ONLY 11 WEEKS after taking on the role of IAOMS President, it feels like an entire lifetime has passed by with work dedicated to the Association! Many exciting developments happened in such a short period of time. As I said in my first message, one of the key aspects of my Presidency will be taking a step forward to bring the Association to our members and have them express their opinions on the development of new projects. The IAOMS Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and the dedicated staff of the IAOMS were very excited about analyzing the results of different surveys that were conducted. For our next IAOMS Board of Directors and Executive Committee meeting being held in April, the surveys will be one of the topics covered during our strategic planning meeting. MAY I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK all members of the new Board of Directors, Dr. Olsson, Dr. Millesi, Dr. Jee and Dr. Haers, as well as to the entire Executive Committee for their support and commitment to the Association. It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Larry Nissen as the IAOMS Foundation chair for a new term Important changes have occurred in the last couple of weeks at the IAOMS Headquarters. It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of our Executive Director, Pierre Désy. Mr. Désy was offered a career opportunity he could not refuse. On behalf of the IAOMS Board of Directors, I want to thank Mr. Désy for his incredible service to the organization and we wish him all the best in his new endeavor.
Lisa Markovic who stood in as the Executive Secretary. I had the opportunity to visit the IAOMS Headquarters which recently moved from Rolling Meadows to a more functional space in Chicago. The move will also have an impact in reducing the leasing expenses with a significant benefit to the Association’s finances. WE’RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE that we’re introducing a new IAOMS website that will better serve our members. We know our current system needed improving, and that membership renewal was often difficult. This new system should alleviate those problems and we’re pleased to introduce a simpler more streamlined system. The new website will also include our eLearning program, the IAOMS Review Course, along with some exciting interactive benefits such as Group Forums, Find A Member. WE WILL CONTINUE to strengthen Continuing Education worldwide as a unique tool aiming in the harmonization and progress of the Specialty. Besides ongoing programs like those run by the Education Committee in Panamá and Sri Lanka, we are planning to launch some exciting educational projects, such as short IAOMS International Symposia to be held in different regions. Latin America would most likely host the inaugural Symposium in collaboration with the Columbian Association. Another Symposium in the Middle East is underway with our colleagues in Qatar. We will keep you informed of all educational projects supported by the IAOMS worldwide.
AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH FOR A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR was performed by the IAOMS Board of Directors immediately after Mr. Désy communicated his resignation. This process led to the appointment of Mr. Mitchell Dvorak as the new IAOMS Executive Director, effective April 18th, 2016. Mr. Dvorak has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations. I am sure Mr. Dvorak will continue to lead the IAOMS toward a new phase of growth, focusing on the implementation of exciting strategic initiatives.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, PLEASE MARK YOUR AGENDA with the dates March 31st - April 3rd, 2017 when we will all meet at the 23rd ICOMS to be held in Hong Kong. The Organizing Committee chaired by Nabil Samman is working very hard and it is sure to be a superb scientific and social event. My gratitude goes out to all colleagues engaged in so many projects in the different Committees and groups under the IAOMS umbrella. I invite you to join us by participating in Association activities so we can continue our aim of promoting the progress of the Specialty of OMS at a global level. ■
MAY I ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY to thank Kishore Nayak, who helped us during the transition period serving as the Interim Executive Director, and
Julio Acero PRESIDENT IAOMS