We are a proud profession.  We are bound together by our devotion to our patients.  As we consider our future our ability to deliver care will be progressively influenced and perhaps compromised by external forces.  The SGR is yet to be stabilized.  There are multiple new regulatory agencies built into the Federal health reform legislation that significantly isolate us from decision making on  government compensation for patient  care.  The State in 2009 and 2010 increased union employee salaries 5% each year for those not at the top of their pay scale  and then protected those salaries from budget cuts leaving health care and education  as the focus of budget contraction.  No matter who writes your check on pay day, this stuff is important!

Many of you don't consider yourselves political.  Let me suggest that every orthopedist must keep up on the issues that influence our profession.  If you don't, somebody has to do your work for you.  Each of us needs informed opinions and the personal pride to assert that opinion on behalf of the profession of orthopedic surgery.

Somewhere between two-thirds and three-fourths of orthopedists are in private practices.  Those not in private practices have a variety of compensation arrangements but all are dependent on a healthy alternative option in private practice.

Regardless of our practice situation, we must recognize our interdependence.  As I have worked in fund raising for the tort reform initiative  (I-330) and more recently the legal battle to maintain the right for orthopedists to employee physical therapists, my distinct impression is that salaried orthopedists are less involved that those in private practice.  The concern is that as we relinquish more of the responsibility of providing all aspects of orthopedic care, we also loss some of our autonomy.  No matter whom your employer is the profession of orthopedics and inevitably each member of our profession will rise or fall together.

On April 29th I accepted the State Orthopedic Society of the Year Award on behalf of the members of our State Society.  The award came from the AAOS and was a very special honor.  Congratulations! The WSOA is uniquely your eyes, ears and voice for issues of importance to the orthopedic profession in the State of Washington.  I'm certain there will be more issues of importance in the near future.   Do your part and stay informed.  I'll see you at the annual meeting at the Bellevue Hyatt November 19 and 20 this fall.
 
John Adkison,
WSOA President