Our History |
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. Read more about the history of SCOA |