Message from Our President
By Mark J. Romness, MD
President, Virginia Orthopaedic Society
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Mark J. Romness, MD VOS President |
My mid-year Presidential letter also comes at the end of the Virginia General Assembly sessions. Most physicians do not really understand or appreciate how relevant the state legislature is to their practice and their patients. Let me say, Virginia government relations is one of the main functions of VOS and probably the most important to practicing Orthopaedists across the Commonwealth. Usually there are a couple bills relevant to Orthopaedists, but this year we are hit with a few extras that we thought would be quiet. The VOS Board and staff are working with our lobbyists on workers comp reform, COPN, physical therapy, physician-owned distributorships, and other issues that significantly impact musculo-skeletal care. It continues to be a full agenda.
We have also been involved with some of the general medical bills as partners with the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV), like an effort to streamline insurance prior authorization. VOS members benefit greatly from our collaboration with MSV and other medical specialty societies.
Cal Whitehead is the Virginia Orthopaedic Society (VOS) representative in the legislative process and his comments in this newsletter need to be read by all members. Cal’s work this session has been extensive with help from many VOS members and orthopaedic practice administrators. We have even had major financial support from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) based on the national importance of some of the issues we are dealing with at the state level. It takes a collective effort of all of our members and organizational partners to advocate at the Capitol in Richmond.
The Annual Meeting Program is available at the VOS website and everyone should be registering and reserving a room for the meeting at the Omni Homestead. James Browne, MD and Greg Golladay, MD have done the the arduous task of making the schedule interesting, educational and entertaining. We need you there to make it complete.. If there is more you feel this Society can do for you, please let me know as we are here for you and your patients. See you at the Homestead.
Mark J. Romness, MD
