CONTENTS

1. Your COA Meeting Info is All Right Here!
2. Is Your Membership in Good Standing?
3. International Trauma Survey
4. Ste-Justine Paediatric Review
5. Canadian National FOP Conference & Family Medical Clinic

1) YOUR COA MEETING INFO IS ALL RIGHT HERE
Visit http://www.coaannualmeeting.org/ for complete information about the upcoming COA Annual Meeting in Whistler, BC.  Scientific programme, guest speaker bios, social event and activity descriptions, hotel listings, shuttle and travel information...it's all just a click away.  CORA and CORS meeting information is also available under the ‘Residents' and ‘Researchers' tabs.  Registration opens this week!  Early bird rates are available until April 30.

2) IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN GOOD STANDING?
The COA's 2009-2010 fiscal year begins on March 1.  Are your membership dues paid to date?  If you'd like to verify if your account is in good standing, contact Cynthia Vezina: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to inquire.

3) INTERNATIONAL TRAUMA SURVEY
A research team at Royal Perth Hospital (University of Western Australia) is conducting a worldwide survey (in Cooperation with the Michigan State University and the University of Zurich) on the current status and the future of trauma systems and surgery. The survey's main goal is to collect the concerns and expectations that surgeons have regarding the organization of trauma care.  More than 1000 replies from medical doctors worldwide have so far been collected, however orthopaedic and trauma surgeons remain underrepresented.  To participate in this survey, please visit their web site: http://www.traumaresearch.org/.

4) STE-JUSTINE PAEDIATRIC REVIEW
The 22^nd Ste-Justine Paediatric Orthopaedic Review Course will be held from March 25-27, 2009 at the Nouvel Hôtel in Montreal, QC.  Please click on the link below for a full programme and registration form or contact: Johanne Charron at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 514 345-4920 for details.

 SPORC Programme & Registration

3) CANADIAN NATIONAL FOP CONFERENCE & FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC
This event will take place from May 29-31, 2009 at the Thames Valley Children's Centre in London, Ontario.  To download a conference brochure and registration form, go to http://www.cfopn.org/ or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Presenters include: Dr. Frederick Kaplan, MD (of Newsweeks "15 People Who Make America Great") Dr. Eileen Shore, PhD, Dr. Jane Aubin, PhD, Dr. Burton Nussbaum, DDS and Dr. Zvi Grunwald, MD. 

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder in which bone forms in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues, progressively causing immobility and fusing joints. 90% of the children are misdiagnosed, often as having Cancer. The average time to correctly diagnose is four years and many undergo inappropriate medical interventions that exacerbate the condition.  Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered the FOP gene in April 2006. This important discovery is relevant, not only for patients with FOP, but for those with more common musculoskeletal conditions and will have a major impact on the study of skeletal biology and regenerative medicine.