President's Message

I hope that the New Year has been pleasant for you. I recognize I am somewhat late in bringing this President’s message to you. Could it be related to the most unusual winter we have been having across the country? Anyway, I just want to maintain transparency, so please bear with me.

It has been extremely busy at ACOS. There have been many pressing issues and none, it seems, as important as our board certification process. To be transparent, we have been monitoring the communications between the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). 

We have always felt that is our responsibility, as the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, to promote excellence in all our endeavors. There is a significant change ongoing in the board certification structure and process. We will assist in any way we can and are committed to excellence within our entire college structure from the life member to the origins of the surgery practitioner, our residents. 

Stephanie Santini, ACOS Director of Education and Events, recently attended the AOA’s LEAD conference in Austin, TX. She noted that the Leadership session presented by Todd Connor, co-founder of The Collective Academy, was very well received. We will be looking at the feasibility of having him present at the Annual Clinical Assembly.

The AOA provided updates in many areas, but stayed clear of discussing any contentious issues. In an interesting approach, the meeting rooms were designated by “themes” such as Inspire, Collaborate, Engage, and Connect.

In late February, Todd Nickloes, Linda Taliaferro (formerly Ayers), and I will be attending the AOA’s Board of Trustees meeting. We hope to have an update about the certifying boards, the AOA membership decoupling plan, and other meeting actions for you.

Finally, your ACOS Board of Governors is readying themselves for the College’s annual strategic planning weekend and spring board meeting in late March. This is a very committed board and I am proud to be associated with such quality individuals. The interest of all our surgeon members is always their first concern. I look forward to the comradery of our member meetings and our next information update.  

Ray L. Morrison, D.O., FACOS

President