The Orthopaedic Surgeon and the Electronic Age

Marc J. Moreau, M.D., FRCSC
President, Canadian Orthopaedic Association

Halifax welcomed us this year with spirit and verve made possible by a wonderful, dedicated team to whom we give heartfelt thanks. I would like to recognize the work of the local arrangements committee led by Drs. Joe Hyndman and Bill Stanish, along with Doug Thomson, Cynthia Vezina and Trinity Wittman; the latter three worked tirelessly during the year preceding the meeting, negotiating, showing initiative, keeping local organizers and members to deadlines, while being patient and compromising.

Halifax will be remembered for its informative and varied programmes; the presence of such a large number of orthopaedic residents from across the country, representing every training programme in Canada, was a testimony to the idea that the youth of today are tomorrow's contributors to our society.

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourselves." This quote from Andy Warhol speaks well to the message that the Board would like to pass onto the membership. Every five or six years, an organization needs to play that old chestnut called the "strategic plan". This November your Board, Executive and a few key contributing members will meet to map out the strategic plan of this organization for the next five years. The membership, by the mechanism of the recent survey, has stated its concerns which will be addressed (see page 12 in this issue of the Bulletin for a summary of the survey results).

Barb and I look forward to an exciting year and will commit our energies towards fulfilling the demands of this most honoured position.

For those who were unable to attend the Annual Meeting, I am pleased to include a copy of my President-Elect address that was delivered in Halifax.