By Emil Schemitsch, MD

Dear OTA Membership,

OTA’s course in 2024 will be marked by numerous exciting and impactful plans and events. These include the implementation of the recently approved 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan (PDF) and continued innovation and growth of our foundational mission of research and education. We will also incorporate a focus on promoting a culture of collaboration. This includes collaboration among our membership, committee members, and leadership as well as with IOTA Society members, our Colombian Guest Nation, and other organizations who will have a presence at the OTA 40th Annual Meeting in Montreal, in October of 2024 (currently this includes the ORS International Section of Fracture Repair (ISFR), Fragility Fracture Network (FNN) and European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery [ESTES]).

While I am confident of the progress OTA will continue to achieve in 2024, I believe it’s important to also pause and reflect on the myriad accomplishments of 2023. All items highlighted below are possible only because of the dedication, commitment, and expertise of our membership. I extend deep gratitude to all who have contributed, whether you served as a faculty member, participated on a committee, wrote a textbook chapter or journal article, volunteered time as a mentor, reviewed journal submissions, participated in a research study, or served as a member of OTA leadership. Your substantial contributions are what continued to drive OTA’s success in 2023.

I also would like to sincerely acknowledge the generosity of our 2023 donors, Lifetime & Planned Giving Donors, and 2023 Corporate & Foundation Donors. As you can see from the current strategic plan, there is more to accomplish. Education accessibility, high quality prospective research, impactful advocacy, global outreach and investing in people are all priorities you will be hearing more about as the new strategic plan is rolled out. Your donations will play an important role in achieving these aspirational and impactful goals, and they are the foundation for ensuring the future of our organization and our ability to provide ongoing resources for generations to come.

I encourage you all to mark your calendar for the OTA’s 40th Anniversary Meeting taking place October 23 – 26, 2024 in Montreal, QC, Canada. The Annual Meeting Program Committee and Anniversary Task Force are working on plans to celebrate this milestone meeting, and I can assure you it’s a meeting you won’t want to miss.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, I look forward to working with many of you in 2024, and I invite your continued feedback throughout the year.

Sincerely, 

Emil H. Schemitsch, MD
OTA President

OTA 2023 Year in Review

Education

• The OTA Annual Program Committee organized the 2nd highest attended Annual Meeting in OTA’s history, with more than 1,700 attendees. The program included 74 podium presentations, 20 breakouts, and 12 pre-meeting courses taught by presenters from North America and around the world. In addition to cutting-edge science, the program incorporated topics such as artificial intelligence, surgeon well-being, and patient mental health. Networking and engagement opportunities increased this year, with eight networking receptions and three firesides, interactive symposia with audience polls, plus industry sessions and mobile labs. In case you missed it, the 2023 Annual Meeting is available on-demand; be sure to check out the Bovill award talk, the Border Lecture, and Presidential Address.
• 2023 included a total of 22 CME activities, providing over 200 hours of CME, taught by OTA members and offering some of the highest level expertise in orthopaedic trauma.
• Continued enhancement of OTA Online, with comprehensive inclusion of OTA educational content, development of new content, refreshed search features, and the addition of journal and video CME.
• The OTA’s upcoming online textbook, “OTA Fracturebook,” made great strides towards a 2024 launch.

Research

• Awarded $455,000 in research grants, and committed $75,000 to a joint OTA/OREF research grant to be awarded in January 2024.
• Articles published: JOT – 230 articles and OTAI 69 articles
• Funded two JOT Supplements and four OTAI supplements
• Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
  
  • OTA Video Supplement
  • OTA Funded JOT Supplement Award
• OTA International
  
  • IOTA Supplement: Managing Periprosthetic Fractures: International Perspectives
  • OTA Basic Science Focus Forum
  • OTA International Trauma Care Forum
  • Soft Tissue Coverage: Techniques for the Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon

Advocacy

• Significantly increased participation in OTA Career Development and Research Mentorship Programs, with more than 60 mentor/mentee paired participants.
• Offered extended sessions at the Annual Meeting covering physician wellness and moral injury.
• The Diversity Committee offered and expanded the High School Scholars Course introducing the field of orthopaedic trauma and related career opportunities to diversely populated local high schools.