WOA: A Place for Growth

Our generation of surgeons is fortunate to have many sources from which to obtain our ongoing education including meetings, online, and publications. The Western Orthopaedic Association (WOA) is an extraordinary star in the ever-expanding galaxy of orthopaedic organizations.

Besides providing education in a stimulating meeting format, WOA membership includes numerous benefits such as access to publications, Self Assessment Exam credit, and liability insurance options for physicians.

There are also intangible member benefits such as providing opportunities for young orthopaedic surgeons to present research, meet mentors, and develop leadership skills. Both residents and young attendings should look at the WOA as a place where they can assume a leadership role in the organization and in orthopaedics. In many other organizations, physicians do not assume leadership roles until later in their careers. The WOA, however, relies strongly on the input, guidance, and strength of our younger members and provides a unique place to learn about leadership at an early stage. The skills learned by being an involved member of the WOA can help make a physician a better leader in their practice, hospital, and national leadership roles.

I strongly recommend that all orthopaedic surgeons join the WOA for the numerous benefits, leadership opportunities, and exceptional collegial environment.  

Nitin N. Bhatia, MD, FACS
[email protected]
Interim Chairman
Chief, Spine Service
Residency Program Director
Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of California, Irvine

DISCLAIMER: Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion or endorsement on the part of the officers or the members of WOA unless such opinion or endorsement is specifically stated. Materials may be reproduced only if Touches and the Western Orthopaedic Association are credited.