Profile
Total Number of Members: 224
Annual Dues: $475.00
Type of Organization: 501 (c) (6)
Annual Meeting:
Date: August 6-9, 2009
Location: The Sanctuary
Kiawah Island Resort, SC
Like Topsy, the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association was not born, it just grew.
In the late 1940’s it was customary that Dr. W.A. Boyd, of Columbia, would call all of the surgeons in the state who limited their practice to Orthopaedic surgery and invite them to a meeting. The call would usually come in August. The meetings were scheduled during September, shortly before school began, when the weather was cooler and the wives and children could attend. The meetings have always been family-oriented. The early meetings would consist of bringing X-rays of problem cases for discussion, and sometimes a guest speaker was invited to attend. Calling the Orthopaedists at that time was no great task since there were only about twenty in the entire state. The meetings were quite pleasant. Everyone was friendly. There was an atmosphere of camaraderie. The discussions of the cases at times were quite spirited but always in good fun and generally of high academic caliber. Participants learned and at the same time enjoyed the experience.
At one such meeting in November, 1950, it was felt that the practicing orthopaedic surgeons of South Carolina needed their own Orthopaedic Association. As the state grew, there would be more and more Orthopaedists in South Carolina and this would be an ideal way for all to get to know each other. The Association would be mutually beneficial from professional, educational, and social aspects. At this meeting, the organization was begun. Perhaps it was born after all.
The eighteen charter members of the association were: William A. Boyd, MD., Lowell H. Coleman, MD., Weston Cook, M.D., G.R. Dawson, M.D., C.H. Epting, MD., B.L. Freeman, Jr., M.D., J.T. Green, M.D., C.H. Haynsworth, MD., Theodore J. Hopkins, M.D., F.A. Hoshall, MD., S. Edwards Izard, M.D., Robert R. McKnight, Jr., MD., A.T. Moore; M.D., Robert M. Pauling, M.D., John Arthur Siegling, MD., Frank H. Stelling, M.D., C.B. Thomas, M.D., and C. T .Weston, M.D.
The major requirements of charter membership were that one “did Orthopaedics” exclusively and was
at that meeting. Dr. Boyd was elected as permanent Chairman of the meetings and President of the Association since he had been the prime instigator of the meetings up to that time. It is worthy of note that, reputedly, Dr. Boyd was the oldest living Orthopaedic surgeon in the United States of America. Even though he was quite elderly, he was extremely active. He never missed a meeting. The stories he told were hilarious. "Dr. Billy" was quite interested in all of the papers presented and the only ones that he probably missed were those presented when the batteries in his hearing aid got weak. He was quite a colorful character who always wore a red rose in his lapel.
With the official beginning of the organization, meetings were then scheduled on a yearly basis. The second meeting was in 1951 in conjunction with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. This fitted in quite well with the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association Meeting and was attended by many out-of-state Orthopaedic surgeons. The attendance began to grow.
Throughout the history of the organization numerous prominent Orthopaedic surgeons were guest speakers. Among the early ones was Dr. Oscar Miller of Charlotte, North Carolina. He devised a number of operative procedures that continue to bear his name. Dr. Phil Moore, of Alaska, was one of the guest speakers. He was an expert in bone and joint tuberculosis. Dr. Robert Johnson, of John's Hopkins Medical School, was one of the guest speakers. In 1951 Dr. A.T. Moore presented a paper on the new Vitallium hip prosthesis. About thirty had been used at that time.
On one occasion, the Association had a meeting in Greenville, South Carolina, with Dr. C.E. Irwin, Chief Orthopaedist at Warm Springs, Georgia, as the guest speaker. He was very prominent as a crippled children's specialist and contributed much to this branch of Orthopaedic surgery.
Several meetings followed in Columbia. No meetings were scheduled, for reasons which are not apparent, in 1954 and 1955. Some of the minutes of the early meetings were very sketchy, to say the least. In 1956, the meetings were resumed. Dr. F.A. Hoshall, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical College of South Carolina at Charleston, had died. Dr. Robert McKnight, one of the charter members had moved to Augusta, Georgia, and Dr. Ritche Belser was inducted as a new member. At this meeting it was decided that other areas for the meetings might be conducive to better attendance. It was the consensus that meetings in beach areas would draw a greater number of people and probably even attract guest from other states.
In 1958, Myrtle Beach was the site for the first formal, extensively planned meeting. It was a great success. In 1959, the Meeting was held at Hilton Head. Thirty-nine attended. Dr. Frank Forsyth of North Carolina was the guest speaker. Dr. J.A Seigling was elected President-Elect and Dr. W.A. Boyd was elected President Emeritus. Dr. J. Warren White had died and a memorial resolution that year was incorporated into
the minutes.
Requirements for election to membership were changed to include an M.D. Degree, Certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, practice limited to Orthopaedic Surgery, and peer recommendation.
In 1960, Dr .Boyd presided at his last meeting as President and was presented with a plaque honoring him for his work and for his leadership in the formation of the Association. Dr. Hiram Kite, famous for his work with crippled children and particularly club feet, was the honored speaker at that time. Dr. Boyd died in 1961.
The meeting in 1961 was at Hilton Head and in the William Hilton Inn. Dr. Edward Comere was the guest speaker and Dr. Frank Stelling was elected President-Elect. The William Hilton Inn at that time consisted primarily of what can best be described as a small motel with a very small dining room. This was before the development of the island and facilities were quite limited but very pleasant. The group was small. The fellowship was excellent. The papers were most enjoyable. In a friendly small group one could discuss freely the papers, "giving each other the business," without any animosity. Everything was good fun -full of the spirit of socializing together - and at the same time having a good academic meeting. The meetings were quite successful and everyone in the state got to know each other better. As time went on and membership increased, more Orthopaedists from out-of'-state attended. The meeting grew in size, but always retained the original family orientation and never lost the "esprit de corps" which makes them so enjoyable.
The organization has been fortunate to have had very many prominent speakers in its time. Dr. Gus Sarmiento, Dr. Jack Wickstron, Dr. Newton McCollough, Dr. Darius Flinchum, and Dr. Jack Robert Brashear were all on the same program in 1963. In 1966, Dr. Gerhard Kuntscher, from Germany, originator of the femoral intramedullary nail, was our guest and gave an excellent discussion of his original as well as his newest techniques.
Other renowned speakers have been Dr. Edwin Cave, Dr. Carroll Larson, Dr. William Donaldson,and Dr. Charles V. Heck. Dr. Heck was the Executive Director of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for years and unfortunately died suddenly in Chicago, in 1985, shortly after retirement. He had, just days before, been one of the guest speakers at the Academy meeting in Las Vegas.
Other famous names include Dr. Paul Colonna, Dr. William Enneking, Dr. Lee Milford, Dr. Leonard Goldner, Dr. Sherman Coleman, Dr. Mark Coventry, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Dr. Charles Rockwood, recent President of the Academy, and Dr. David Bradford. Dr. Clemment Sledge, President of the Academy in 1985, was a guest speaker in 1984.
The South Carolina Orthopaedic Association has always presented guest speakers with an honorary membership. All of our speakers have been outstanding and are listed in the Roster of Honorary Members.
South Carolina now has a second Medical College associated with the University of South Carolina, in Columbia. The Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at that institution is Dr. Edward E. Kimbrough, who has practiced in South Carolina, in Columbia, for years and is currently doing a splendid job in academia at the new institution. More excellent Orthopaedic surgeons being trained by South Carolina Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Dayton Riddle, of Greenville, is the chief of the training program for Orthopaedic residents there and has been quite prominent in that capacity, as well as his association with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, of which he is currently treasurer. This is a well-deserved honor for one of our own and most prominent members.
Dr. J.A. Siegling retired (1984) from the Chairmanship of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina after many years of faithful service and education of a host of excellent Orthopaedic Surgeons. He did original experimental work in charting epiphyseal growth. This was important work in basic knowledge of the musculoskeletal system. He was also interested in all aspects of Orthopaedic surgery and was an expert in the Orthopaedic aspects of Sickle Cell Anemia. He has left his mark in many facets of Orthopaedic Surgery and particularly the lives of those he touched as educator and friend. The orthopaedists educated by him have made orthopaedic surgery available in all parts of the state. His tenets of good, conservative orthopaedic surgery are sure to survive, perpetuated by his many students.
South Carolina can be proud of all of its members of the Orthopaedic community, many of whom have achieved national prominence and some intemational. Others have been equally prominent, delivering excellent Orthopaedic care to South Carolina's citizens.
The South Carolina Orthopaedic Association has continued to grow from eighteen charter members in 1950 to 107 in 1985. Thirteen have died since it began. The meeting continues to be one of the best that can be attended. It is a small enough group so that everyone knows each other. The scientific aspect is always very stimulating. We have excellent guest speakers. We have good attendance from the residents in three training programs in the state. The residents participate in the scientific sessions. A prize is awarded to the best paper presented by a resident. The meetings are attended now by not only South Carolinians, but many from other states.
There has developed a very close association with our sister state North Carolina. On alternate years, there is a combined meeting of both the North Carolina and South Carolina Orthopaedic Associations. The first such meeting was in 1967. The attendance is quite large with excellent scientific programs and speakers provided by both organizations. The meetings alternate between sites in North Carolina and South Carolina.
South Carolina has been very fortunate in having many outstanding Orthopaedic surgeons. Among these, of course, is Dr. W .A Boyd, who was quite well-known in the early days of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. J. Warren White, of Greenville, in his time, was one of the leading pioneers of Orthopaedic Surgery . He was renowned for his work with crippled children at the Shriners' Hospital. He devised many operations and a multitude of instruments, many times modifying items commonly found in hardware stores intended for other purposes. He was indeed an ingenious leader in the field.
Dr. Frank Stelling, of Greenville, was Vice-President of the American Orthopaedic Association and has contributed much, particularly to Pediatric Orthopaedics. He is well-known for his work on the vertical talus and myelodysplasia. He is currently Director of Medical Affairs of the entire Shriners' Hospital system nationally. Dr. James T. Green, of Columbia, and Dr. F.A. Hoshall, who was the Chief of Orthopaedics at the Medical College of South Carolina for years, achieved prominence.
Dr. Austin Talley Moore, known to his family as Austin and to almost everyone else as A.T., was a giant of a man both physically and mentally. He was a tireless, fearless innovator always trying to modify existing operations for improvement and developing new ones. He was the first to implant a hip prosthesis in a human, a device he designed and inserted out of his interest in hip surgery, the Moore prosthesis was developed and is still being used. Even with the passage of time, the basic principles remain the same. He was truly a man before his time. He was sometimes misunderstood by his colleagues as is often the case in an innovator with genius. New ideas at first may seem radical, but in time some may even be looked upon as conservative. His contributions will long be recognized as milestones in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Emmett Lunceford carried on Dr. A. T. Moore's work on hip prosthesis and became quite well-known for his work in hip surgery. The most recent contribution is the porocoated prosthesis. This also may prove to be quite an advancement in Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Lunceford was killed in an airplane accident in 1985.
Dr. Gus Sarmiento has become internationally known for numerous contributions and is now professor ,of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Southern California. Although he is now in California, South Carolina still claims him.
One certainly cannot mention all of the contributions that every Orthopaedist in the state has made. Many have not gotten their names in lights but have been most prominent in their own special way, by providing excellent Orthopaedic care to their patients. After all, what is more important than medicine? That is what it is all about! These doctors are interested in Orthopaedic Surgery, studying, attending meetings, and participating in academic programs. Orthopaedic Surgery is certainly one of the leading, most excellent specialties in South Carolina with good care as a prime objective and continuing education a dynamic force in its practice.
It is inevitable that what has gone on in the past will continue to go on in the future: increasing knowledge, increasing technology, and most important, increasing excellence in the care of our patients.
EDUCATION, ARS, CURA ,KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, CARE
B.L. Freeman, Jr., M.D. Historian, 1985
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Since 1985, the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association has continued to grow from 107 to 142 members, all categories included. An Emeritus membership status has been established for those members who have semi-retired or retired from the active practice of orthopaedic surgery. Those orthopaedic surgeons who have retired to South Carolina and wish to be associated with our organization may do so by becoming affiliate members. It was also found necessary because of the growing size of the organization to restructure the make-up of the officers of the association to include a President, President-Elect, Vice President/Program Chairman, and Secretary/Treasurer; Dr. Barney Freeman designed a logo which was approved as the official symbol of the Association.
The annual meetings have continued to be well-attended with excellent guest speakers. In 1985 at Kiawah Island, Dr. Guy T. Vise, Jr., and Professor Thomas M. Stoyle, F.R.C.S. were the guest speakers of Dr. Lorin Mason. The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, served as the site of the combined South Carolina-North Carolina meeting in 1986. Dr. Walter Wright's guest speaker was Dr. James L. Hughes. Dr. Daggett Royals was re-elected to a 2nd three year term to the House of Delegates of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
During this year, one of our founding members and past presidents, Dr. Francis H. Gay, died. Better known as Bud, he rarely missed an annual meeting of the Association and wanted them to be family oriented as they had been in the early years. Bud was a fine orthopaedist who was influential in the lives of the many orthopaedists he helped educate and train in Columbia, South Carolina's orthopaedic residency program. The Association, at its 1987 meeting, had as one of its guest Mrs. Betty Gay, and honored Bud by making a contribution to the memorial founded in his name.
Litchfield-By-The-Sea was the site of the 1987 meeting. Dr. Bill Evins had as his speaker, Dr. Frank C, McCue who presented several interesting papers on sports-related injuries.
The specialty of orthopaedic surgery has made remarkable progress in the years since the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association has been founded. Our members, past and present, have and continue to make significant contributions to the field. Most importantly, our members continue to provide excellent professional care for their patients.
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Our patients are receiving better care than ever thanks to the work of the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association. As we advance our knowledge and sharpen our skills, treatment will continue to improve. Forty years ago, procedures that are now common were things of science fiction.
Our membership now numbers 147; 15 emeritus, 3 honorary. As our size has increased, so have our affairs become more complex. Therefore, Dr. Joseph Dunlap of Florence (Secretary Treasurer 1989) has placed all of our records on computer and has undertaken a thorough review of our rules and bylaws. This review will codify the many changes repeatedly discussed annually. Our records have been located in the office of an "executive secretary" in Columbia. This major decision came about after two years consideration. Our mailings, dues, notices, registration, tax preparation, and records will no longer "travel" around the state with each new secretary-treasurer.
Our annual meetings have been well-attended. Dr. Harold Kleinert was the guest speaker of Dr. Gerald Shealy at the combined NCOA-SCOA meeting in 1988 at the new Omni Hotel in Charleston. Our colleagues from North Carolina continue to meet with us on alternating years. This arrangement increases our friendship and dialogue with Tarheel orthopaedic surgeons.
Hurricane Hugo caused cancellation of the 1989 annual meeting until 1990. The hurricane which caused so much damage in Charleston left Hilton Head undamaged, so we returned. Dr. Richard Truluck's guest was Dr. John Feagin of Jackson Hole, WY at the Westin Resort in January 1990. Later in October of 1990, Dr. John McGinty of Charleston was Dr. Lawrence (Kim) Brown's guest at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Weather problems again followed us as a severe thunderstorm caused a long power failure during the first academic session.
No weather problems marred the 1991 Kiawah Island annual meeting of Dr. Frederick (Rick) Reed. Dr. Richard King of Atlanta reflected on his many years of pediatric orthopaedic practice. Several SCOA members were called to active military duty in response to the Desert Shield/Storm operation. These men were recognized at the 1991 annual banquet.
Our society was honored in 1991 by the election of Dr. John McGinty of Charleston as President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Daggett Royals of Greenville finished six years as our delegate to the AAOS Board of Counselors in 1990 and Dr. Lorin Mason of Florence now serves in this capacity.
A Charter Member, Dr. John A. Siegling, passed away in 1990. Dr. Siegling was an orthopaedic surgeon for almost fifty years. During these years he contributed untold hours to his patients and to his residents. Dr. Siegling was a popular national and international expert whose knowledge and experience and friendship is sorely missed by our Association.
As reflected in our history, our association remains pledged to advance its members' knowledge through ever better annual meetings. Our organization is our voice in political and medical affairs.
We continue to invite all orthopaedic surgeons in South Carolina to preserve the highest standards of technical skills and professional orthopaedic care.
John P. Evans, MD
President-Elect, 1992
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In the last seven years, the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association has provided an open forum for the orthopaedists of the state. The lofty goals of the organization to promote knowledge, skill and excellent patient care have been accomplished through academic meetings, social functions, and political action.
Although our membership of 181 reflects little growth in the organization, our state orthopaedist census has grown to 324. In an effort to improve our membership and our voice in the state, the executive office was moved to the firm of Eubanks & Associates in January, 1998.
We have seen the delivery of health care change drastically in the last six years. This has not always been to the advantage of good patient care. Managed care has all but eliminated the solo practitioner as we have known him in the past. Along with this, the patient-physician relationship has suffered. As a response to managed care and to help in having our concerns heard, a political action committee named BONEPAC was formed in 1996. It was charted with the state attorney general. By-laws were created and approved by the membership. Through this arm of the SCOA, we have begun to be heard as an advocate for the patient in the state legislature and the state medical society.
In the past five years, the American Academy of Orthopaedics has taken an active roll in promoting state orthopaedic associations by devoting full time staff to develop association guidelines and officer training. Our state officers have regularly attended the National Leadership Conterence in Washington, DC.
Several of our members have distinguished themselves by serving in regional leadership positions. Notably, Dr. Lorin Mason has served as President of the Southern Medical Association in 1998. Like wise, Dr. Ed Kimbrough has served as the president of the Eastern Orthopaedic Association in 1991, and president of the Southern Orthopaedic Association in 1995.
Our annual meetings have been well attended and continue to be the highlight of the year. Every third year it is a combined meeting with the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association, alternating the location between the two states. Both organizations have enjoyed a cordial relationship and are beginning to assist each other in defining and defending our place in the managed care environment.
As our need to conduct business increased, we began to have a business meeting in conjunction with the South Carolina Medical Associations' annual meeting. We continue to sponsor an education seminar at the South Carolina Medical Association annual meeting and have become more involved in the state organization. Orthopaedists now serve on the interspecialty council, South Carolina Political Action Committee, South Carolina Medical Association Board and many other state committees. By taking part in the state medical society, we hope to keep specialty medicine available to the patients of South Carolina.
Robert H. Belding, MD
President, 1999
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From 1998 to 2000, the membership of the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association grew from 181 to 220 active and emeritus members. Another excellent annual meeting was held in Kiawah Island, August 1999, with Paulo R. Laurenco, MD, our Presidential speaker from Brazil. His main presentation concerned the treatment of orthopaedic trauma in his Rio de Janeiro hospital, and he invited any interested volunteers to visit there with him.
During the previous legislative session at the State House in Columbia, our members testified about the expansion of scope of practice for podiatrists. Although BONEPAC had employed a lobbyist in past years, it was decided to work through the South Carolina Medical Association Interspecialty Council and the SCMA lobbyists to effect health policy in the best interests of our patients.
Our SCOA officers continued to attend fall State Societies Meetings in Chicago, sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In addition, our officers again represented us well at the spring National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. At this latter meeting, our officers and their wives met with our Senators and Congressmen concerning collective bargaining, the “hassle factor,” and patients‘ rights.
The 2000 spring business meeting was again held at the time of the SCMA meeting in Charleston. Seminars for this meeting were sponsored by the SCOA and addressed appropriate use of physical therapy as well as care of ankle and foot problems.
The web site developed by Dr. Robert Belding continued to prove its worth. The membership is excited about the organizational and educational benefits of this medium.
During 2000 a newsletter was developed for our members. Paul J. Biggers, Ph.D. was chosen as the new Executive Director, taking over these duties in August. Of great concern to our members was the low reimbursement for worker’s compensation, especially when compared to our adjoining states of North Carolina and Georgia. This has resulted in litigation with the outcome still uncertain. The national malpractice crisis finally came to South Carolina with dramatic increases in our liability insurance premiums. A new PCF Board was put in place by the new Governor, Jim Hodges. Dr. Tucker Weston completed 24 years of selfless service on this board.
Our 50th Annual Meeting was held with the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association in Asheville, NC in October. Dr. Marc Swiontkowski, the Presidential speaker, spoke concerning outcome studies. Our 50th anniversary was marked by a special event at the Biltmore Estate with many former SCOA presidents in attendance. Dr. H. Del Schutte, Jr., MUSC orthopaedic faculty member was elected President at this meeting. Under his leadership thirty-one new members were brought into the Association during the 51st annual meeting at Kiawah Island. This represented the largest annual increase ever and brought the total membership to 232, representing 181 active, 6 associate and 45 emeritus members. During the 51st annual meeting Dr. Michael Drakeford was elected President.
The Association lost some of it’s pioneers in 2001. Dr. Frank H. Stelling, III, died December 27. He was 85. Dr. Stelling was one of the Charter members of the SCOA and served as President between 1961-62. For many years he was Chief Surgeon of the Shriners Hospital in Greenville. Another member, Dr. Lawrence E. McManus, President of the SCOA from 1984-85 passed away on June 19. He was sixty-one. He founded the Gift of Life Trust Fund and chaired the Fund from 1996-98 and had been associated with the Moore Orthopaedic Clinic and Midlands Orthopaedics. Also, Dr. James A. McQuown, state medical leader and orthopaedist for 43 years in Greenwood, passed away on November 13, 2001. He served as SCOA President between 1969-1970.
In 2002 the SCOA received a grant from the AAOS to develop a safe playground in Charleston, at the Brittlebank Park. Dr. Frederick Reed, Charleston, provided the leadership for this project and has given significant time in raising the necessary funding. Construction of the playground is slated for Fall, 2003. During 2002 Level I trauma service in South Carolina reached a crisis level in Columbia and Charleston. An Ad Hoc Committee was approved by the SCOA to study and develop recommendations for a trauma care coverage system in the State. Dr. Langdon Hartsock, Chairman of the MUSC program, serves as chairman.
After adding twenty-nine new members in 2001, the SCOA continued to grow in 2002, with an additional twenty members. The 2002 annual meeting, held at Kiawah Island Resort, set record attendance, with over 200. This represents a doubling of attendance within the last two years. Dr. David S. Hungerford, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University, was the presidential speaker. His topics were on Preserving the Osteonecrotic Femoral Head and Failed Total Joints: Where does the Finger Point?
During 2002, the Association saw the passing of two other members. Dr. Asif Mukhtar Sheikh, 58, died January 1. He was a partner with Midlands Orthopaedics. Dr. Putrina Dunlap-Dees, Columbia, passed away as the result of a tragic highway accident. She was affiliated with University Orthopaedics in Columbia.
The SCOA continues to remain a vibrant professional organization as it adapts to the changing medical environment. It remains true to its roots as an educational organization, but is now involved in many advocacy positions to make the practices of its members more effective and efficient.
James F. Bethea, M.D., Board of Councilors
Paul J. Biggers, Ph.D., Executive Director
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