2016 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Research Capitol Hill Days - Washington, D.C.

I had the pleasure of participating in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery Research Capitol Hill Days, April 13th an 14th, 2016. I brought one of my patients, Orlanda Lopez, who with rheumatoid arthritis has had complex hand reconstruction with multiple artificial joints. She is a lawyer, an administrator, and spots enthusiast who rows and plays tennis regularly. She was a great spokesperson for helping to advocate on capitol hill on behalf of musculoskeletal research. At this meeting 20 patients and 30 researchers and physicians combined forces to meet with law makers both in the house of representatives and in the senate, on capitol hill and make the case for why musculoskeletal research is so important, and that the budget of the National Institute of Health should be increased.

PART OF THE AAOS RESEARCH CAPITOL HILL DAYS DELEGATION

The burden of musculoskeletal disease is very high...

We had meetings on Wednesday evening and met law makers all day Thursday. We had a lunch time question and answer session with John Berrasso, (R-Wy) who is an orthopaedic surgeon and an advocate for patients and healthcare in the US congress. All in all, this was time well spent. Being involved politically is a key to having the best healthcare and best research we can in America.