CONTENTS

1) CORA Annual Meeting Is Not Cancelled
2) Foundation Announces Winners of Research Awards
3) Special Invitation to Vegas
4) Will You Help the Foundation to Raise the Profile of Orthopaedic Health?

1) CORA ANNUAL MEETING IS NOT CANCELLED
Contrary to the rumours, the 2009 CORA Annual Meeting is not cancelled and will be taking place in Whistler, BC on July 4^th and 5^th.  Changes to the meeting format will be in effect; however, a quality educational and social programme will be offered to residents along with a special rebate for attending the conference. 

A CORA paper session and social evening will take place on Saturday, July 4^th and a Career Development Symposium addressing issues pertinent to future orthopaedic surgeons will be held on Sunday, July 5^th.  Faculty from across the country will cover topics from: selecting a fellowship and exam preparation, to starting a community or academic practice. Complete programme details and registration will be available online in January at: http://www.coaannualmeeting.ca/. 

There will be no registration fee to attend the CORA events.  However, residents who attend the CORA and COA meeting are responsible to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodations.  We regret that we are unable to offer a registration package that includes hotel and flights this year.  We are pleased to offer a $100 rebate to all resident members of the COA who attend the CORA meeting. $100 reimbursement cheques will be issued at the registration desk in Whistler.

We would ask for your cooperation in dispelling any rumours about the CORA meeting being cancelled.  Residents can find further information about the event on the CORA web site: http://www.coraweb.org/ or on the COA Annual Meeting web site: http://www.coaannualmeeting.ca/ in the coming weeks.  

2) FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF RESEARCH AWARDS
The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation is pleased to announce its 2008 research grants recipients:  The winner of the J. Edouard Samson Award, sponsored by Bayer Healthcare, is Dr. Benjamin Alman.  The winner of the CORL Award, sponsored by Angiotech, is Dr. Markku Nousiainen.  We thank all applicants for taking the time to apply.  To learn about the winning proposals, visit http://www.canorth.org/, click on ‘For Professionals' then click on ‘Grants Awarded'.  The next call for applications will be in March 2009.  Watch the Dispatch for more information.

3) SPECIAL INVITATION TO VEGAS
The COA will be hosting a reception during the upcoming AAOS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.  The reception will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 6:30pm.  Location details will follow shortly.  All COA members are invited to attend.  For more information about the AAOS meeting, including the preliminary programme, visit www.aaos.org/am2009.  Your may also register and secure your housing accommodations at this site.  Advance registration for both members and non-members closes on January 13, 2009.  If you have any questions, please contact the AAOS Convention and Meeting Services Department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.

4) WILL YOU HELP THE FOUNDATION TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF ORTHOPAEDIC HEALTH?
In November, you received a letter from Kevin Orrell, the Foundation's Chair, asking for your donation to the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation.  The Foundation is working hard to insert orthopaedic health to the collective consciousness of Canadians as critical to overall human health.  Your donation in response to this appeal will be used to raise awareness and to develop programmes under the Because You Can strategy to teach Canadians how to build and keep their bone and joint health - longer and stronger.  Seed funding is critical, especially on the verge of an economic downturn, to continue momentum.  Will you help today?  Make your donation on-line at http://www.canorth.org/ and select "Donate Now".