Passing the Torch

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

Dear colleagues and friends of the COA. It is time to pass the torch on to new blood. You will be in excellent hands with Peter and Connie O'Brien as the representatives of our association. Barb and I were treated so well by the societies we visited; we also came to appreciate how the COA is held in such very high esteem by all of the sister organizations. To be an ambassador of our organization, able to attend and participate in the annual meetings, to share ideas and develop friendships with the other Presidents and their wives, were unique and wonderful experiences we will never forget.

Being part of the presidential line has allowed me to learn about our organization in greater depth. The selfless work and dedication given by so many members of the team, from provincial presidents to members of the COA committees, is not going unnoticed. My thanks are extended to all of you for your hard work.

Our staff at the COA office, that is Cynthia Vezina and Trinity Wittman, deserve great thanks for all their efforts and to Doug Thomson - cheers for a job well done in bringing all the parts together.

We were successful this year in accomplishing the goal of staging another strategic planning meeting. Our purpose was to develop an overall direction for the association based on identified member needs from the Spring 2007 membership survey. Over the course of two days, a dedicated group of 20 members agreed on three primary areas in which the Association will invest its resources: 1) advocacy, 2) outcomes and 3) models of care. We have made it our goal to push forward tangibly in each of these areas and keep our membership up to date on all activities in these regards. We are taking steps to continually refresh our COA web site in order to improve communication with our members.

This year will be a special one as we stage the second combined Annual Meeting of the COA and the American Orthopaedic Association in Québec City.  The host city will be celebrating its 400th anniversary and buzzing with activity.  Thanks to Dr. Pierre Mercier and his team from Québec City for all of their efforts as I am sure we will enjoy a most successful conference  The scientific programme looks outstanding - there are so many reasons to attend this year's meeting.

Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity and the honour to serve as your President. Barb and I have tremendously appreciated the opportunity to share such a remarkable experience serving the membership of our organization.