Update: The 2020 AAOS annual meeting has been canceled. Please visit their website, for more information. 

The UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery will travel to Orlando, Florida, March 24-28 for the annual gathering of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), where faculty, fellows and residents from UAB will present poster and paper research as well as attend enriching sessions and receive awards. This year, the conference expects to welcome 30,000 attendees.

Several UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery faculty and residents plan to attend and will present the following research:

• Walt Smith, M.D. (PGY2)- “Mandated Surgical Jackets and Bouffants are Not Effective in Reducing the Rate of Surgical Site Infections”
• Ashish Shah, M.D.,– “Factors Affecting Access to Care among Government Insurance (Medicaid) – and Privately – Insured Patients Requiring Total Hip Arthroplasty”
• Charles Pitts, M.D., Alexandrea Arguello, Ph.D., Brent Ponce, M.D., Gerald McGwin, Ph.D., M.S., Brad Wills, M.D. (former resident, Class of 2019) - "Does the percent of case overlap impact safety in the practice of overlapping surgery?"
• Shah - “Does Postoperative Gabapentin Administration Reduce Opioid Consumption after Foot and Ankle Surgery?”

Additionally, for the sixth consecutive year, Shah is leading an instructional course on common foot and ankle pathologies. Shah also serves on the instructional course committee and plans to attend that annual sub meeting.

One of the strategic goals of the AAOS 2020 is to “equip members to thrive in value-based environments and advance the quality of orthopaedic care.” Shah is looking forward to seeing the impact of UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery’s research and findings at the conference as well as the value that from other attending institutions will provide in return.

“The AAOS conference provides the opportunity for faculty and residents to gain knowledge about advancements in the field, develop leadership skills, and network with orthopedic surgeons from other institutions.” said Shah.

In preparation for the AAOS 2020, attendees are encouraged to download the My Academy App, which will let you plan a personalized event experience.

Don’t forget to engage with the UAB Orthopaedic Surgery handle, @UABOrtho, while in attendance using the #AAOS2020.