Councils and Committees

Charge:

• Development of fiscal policy
• Ensure the implementation by the Association of sound financial management practices
• Ensure the accuracy and validity of the financial and statistical information used by the Board or by external agencies to evaluate the fiscal affairs of the Association.
• Review, guide and monitor the performance of invested funds including endowment, restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Review all organizational expenditures over $5000.
• Recommend the Annual Budget to the Board of Directors

Composition: This committee shall consist of seven (7) members plus the Accountant as an ad hoc advisor.

• The Chair, who shall be the Treasurer of the Association
• The President of the Association
• Immediate Past President of the Association
• First Vice President of the Association
• A Member-at-Large of the Board of Directors appointed by the current President of the organization.
• Two members at large with financial experience appointed from among the Fellows of the Association for three year terms, and eligible for one reappointment. (Provided however, that for the first appointment, one Member-at-Large will be appointed for a two-year term to provide stagger appointments. This section will automatically delete from the bylaws once the first two members-at-large are in office.)

Reporting relationship: The Finance Committee reports to the Board of Directors.

Description: The Nominating Committee prepares a slate of candidates for election at the next Annual Meeting. Process for AAHKS Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee has debated the issue of how best to select the third vice president of the organization. A variety of objective criteria would be helpful in facilitating the nominating process. Criteria for president should include:

• Multiple publications and presentations related to hip and/or knee arthroplasty resulting in recognition on a national/international basis of that individual’s special expertise in total hip and/or knee arthroplasty.
• The individual should have provided service to the Association by functioning on the Executive Board or standing committee
• The individual should be organized and willing to respond to numerous requests that will be required during the year in office, i.e. must be available.

Charge:

• The Nominating Committee shall prepare a list of nominees for the following elective positions in the Association: a. Third Vice-President. b. Secretary. c. Treasurer. d. Two At-Large members of the Executive Board.
• The Committee will report its recommendations for approval by the Executive Board at least two months prior to the annual meeting.
• The names of the approved nominees will be distributed to the eligible attending members of the Association for a secret written ballot.
• A plurality of the ballots returned to the Secretary shall elect. Election may be by voice vote or by hand count if unanimously approved by the active members present at a business meeting of the AAHKS

Reporting relationship: The Nominating Committee reports to the Board of Directors.

Composition: The committee shall consist of five (5) Fellow Members each serving for a term of (1) year, including:

• The Chair, who shall be the immediate Past-President of the Association.
• Two members elected by a plurality at the Annual Meeting of the Association.
• Two active members elected by the Executive Board.

No member may serve consecutive terms.

Term of Office: Open

Charge: The Education Committee is responsible for the oversight of ACCME accreditation and expanding CME offerings to AAHKS members. Committee members work to develop and plan the educational opportunities presented at the AAHKS Spring Meeting.

Composition: Five to seven members

Reporting relationship: The Committee reports to the Education and Communications Council

Term of Office: Chair: 2 years; Members: 2 years

Maximum Terms: 2

Charge: The FOCAL Committee shall plan and oversee programs and activities that enhance adult reconstruction training as the foundation for providing excellent patient care over an entire career.

Composition: The Fellows Orthopaedic Continued AAHKS Learning (FOCAL) Committee shall consist of a Chair, Vice chair, and four members. Two of the four committee members shall have experience as adult reconstruction fellowship training directors. Two of the committee members shall be young arthroplasty surgeons who completed fellowship training within five years of initial appointment. Education Council leaders will act as a mentors and advocates for the committee. All terms shall be for two years with the possibility of two terms of service. Two of the initial appointees will be assigned one-year terms to stagger the terms and provide continuity.

Objectives:

• Address educational gaps in the current system of adult reconstruction fellowship training
• Research and advocate for improvements in adult reconstruction fellowship training
• Achieve 100% membership and strong affinity for AAHKS among fellows in training

Reporting relationship: The Committee reports to the Education and Communications Council

Term of Office: Chair: 2 years; Members: 2 years

Maximum Terms: 2

The Program Committee shall arrange and conduct all aspects of the Annual Meeting of the Association. The Committee is also responsible for the format and content of the publication of papers presented at the Meeting. 

Charge: 

Develop, plan and coordinate an Annual Meeting program that is designed to meet the continuing educational needs of the membership with high quality presentation of new and relevant scientific information and relevant practice-related topics.

Reporting relationship: The Program Committee shall prepare a program for the Annual Meeting subject to review and request final approval by the Executive Board in advance of the Meeting.  

Composition: This committee shall consist of no less than four Association members. Each year, a new member is appointed by the newly-elected 3rd Vice-President. This member serves on the committee through the presidential term of the active member who selects him/her. During the presidential term, the member selected by that president becomes Chair of the Program Committee. During his/her fifth year, the committee member steps down as chair but remains on the committee for his/her fifth and final year. 

Term of Office: 5 years 

Charge: The Publications Committee is responsible for the oversight, input and development of the Journal of Arthroplasty, Arthroplasty Today and other educational publications. Committee members work with AAHKS staff and contractors of these publications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Composition: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and one Member-at-Large with a one year term with possible rotation to the positions each year pending approval of the Committee on Committees. The Member-at-Large will be nominated by the Publications Chair and recommended to the Committee-on-Committees for approval by the Board. Ex-Officio members will include the immediate past president, the Education Committee Chair, the JOA Editor-in-Chief (non-voting) and the AAHKS Executive Director (non-voting).

Reporting relationship: The Publications Committee reports to the Education and Communications Council

Term of Office: Chair: 3 years; Members: 3 years
Maximum Terms: 2

Goal: Promote and develop mechanisms that encourage and promote research and standardized data collection activities.

Objectives
Review submitted research projects by the members of AAHKS using the developed scoring system and approve research projects for execution.

1. Review of submitted grants by members and approval for funding by The Foundation for Arthroplasty Research and Education (FARE).
2. Facilitate AAHKS members to submit high-quality research grant applications to FARE.
3. Provide instructions and guidance for proper preparation of research grants and research proposals.
4. Encourage members to contribute annually to The Foundation for Arthroplasty Research and Education (FARE)
5. At the recommendation of the Board of Directors create position statements on selected controversial topics of importance to the public. Make these position statements available to the public and relevant organizations.
6. Review and approve, if appropriate, survey applications submitted by members of AAHKS and industry partners for administration to the entire membership

Charges
a. Encourage members to contribute annually to the FARE fund.
b. Promote availability of grants to AAHKS members for hip and knee research projects.
c. Evaluate, approve and supervise research grant applications from qualified members of the organization.
d. Provide an annual report to the executive board for approval, regarding the financial accounting of all grant activities, completion of pending grant projects, and the newly approved grant proposals.
e. Initiate and conduct surveys of the general membership regarding subjects of timely interest.
Reporting Relationship:

The Research Committee reports to the Board of Directors

Composition
a. This committee shall consist of no less than five members
b. The Chair of this committee will be chosen by a consensus of the committee on committees and approved by the executive board for one three-year term.
The chair shall appoint a Vice-Chair from the current committee roster. The chair shall mentor the vice-chair to succeed him/her at the end of his/her term. In addition, the vice chair shall lead the committee if for any reason the chair cannot be present.
c. One member will be an at large member of the executive board of directors and appointed by the current President of the organization.
d. The committee on committees shall appoint the initial three members with terms of three, two, and one years respectively.
e. The term of office shall be three years, and any member is eligible for one additional reappointment upon consensus of the committee on committees.
For all committees it is encouraged that at least 1 appointee is less than 40 years of age. A candidate member may not serve on a committee but may be invited to witness a committee meeting at the chair’s discretion.

Term of Office

Chair: three years
Member: three years

Charge: The Evidence Based Medicine Committee is charged with responding to health policy issues with evidence-based position papers on behalf of AAHKS. Committee members serve as liaisons to the AAOS Evidence Based Medicine Committee to evaluate and implement outcomes assessment tools, clinical practice guidelines, and research.

Composition: Five to seven members

Reporting relationship: The Committee shall report to the Health Policy and Research Council

Term of Office: Chair: 2 years; Members: 2 years
Maximum Terms: 2

Charge: The Patient and Public Relations Committee is responsible for developing and approving printed and web-based media to educate consumers about total joint arthroplasty and the best practices for treatment and recovery. Committee members are working on a video project for a consumer audience that will detail what to expect during surgery.

Composition: 5-7 members

Reporting relationship: The Patient/Public Relations Committee reports to the Education and Communications Council.

Term of Office: Chair: 2 years; Members: 2 years

Maximum Terms: 2

Charge: The Practice Management Committee is responsible for all matters relating to business, reimbursement and/or coding for the services of hip and knee surgeons. Committee members support the Health Policy Council in their responsibilities.

Composition: 7 to 10 voting members. The members shall be: Chair, Vice Chair, AAHKS AMA/RUC Advisor, AAHKS/AAOS CCR Committee Representative, AAHKS Alternate AMA/RUC Advisor, AAHKS AMA CPT Advisory Committee Member, One to Four at-large members. AAHKS members serving on payment policy committees in other capacities (e.g.,. the AAOS Alt Rep to AMA/ RUC) may also serve as voting members of the Subcommittee. The AAHKS Senior Health Policy Fellow shall be a non-voting member. The Subcommittee shall be supported by AAHKS Staff, AAOS Staff and Consultants as the Chair and President shall determine are necessary and within the budget established by the Board. (3/30/11)

Reporting relationship: The Practice Management Committee reports to the Health Policy and Research Council.

Term of Office: Chair: 2 years; Members: 2 years
Maximum Terms: 2

Charges: The Quality Measures Committee shall be responsible for all Health Policy matters relating to establishing Quality measurers for the services of hip and knee surgeons, and will support the full committee in carrying out its duties listed above, in relation to the subcommittee’s area of responsibility.

Composition: 10 to 12 Voting Members. The members shall be: Chair, AAHKS AMA PQRI Consortium Representative, Vice Chair, AAHKS American Joint Replacement Registry Representative, AAHKS AMA Alternate Delegate, Episodes of Care/Bundles Payments/Baskets of Care Representative, The Hip Society Representative, The Knee Society Representative, Two to Four at-large members. The AAHKS Junior Health Policy Fellow shall be a non-voting member.

The President shall solicit recommendations from the Presidents of The Hip Society and The Knee Society for AAHKS members who are members of those societies interested, knowledgeable and willing to regularly communicate Quality Committee discussion, agendas and outcomes with The Hip Society and The Knee Society. Final appointment will be made by the AAHKS Board of Directors. The Subcommittee shall be supported by AAHKS Staff, AAOS Staff and Consultants as the Chair and President shall determine are necessary and within the budget established by the Board. (3/30/11)

Reporting relationship: Quality Measures Committee reports to the Health Policy and Research Council.

Term of Office: Chair: 2 years; Members: 2 years
Maximum Terms: 2

Charge:

• Oversee the Match process to maintain the integrity of the match and adherence to the code of conduct policies in place.
• Review and approve the timeline and agreements for yearly match cycles.
• Develop and review surveys of the applicants and program directors annually.

Future plans include the development of milestone guidelines and criteria for starting or maintaining a fellowship program.

Composition: The Fellowship Match Oversight Committee membership shall total five to nine, including at least one representative (and one alternate) each from AAHKS, HS, KS, MSTS and a Chair.

Mission: Encourage humanitarian efforts of members. Recognize and support distinguished members providing humanitarian medical services and programs dedicated to musculoskeletal diseases.

Charge: 

• To heighten the awareness of our membership and encourage their involvement and support in humanitarian efforts.
• Facilitate and support volunteer medical service (of members) through organizations such as Operation Walk
• Support Humanitarian Award Task force in identifying and recommending annual humanitarian winner.

Reporting Relationship:
The Humanitarian Committee reports to the Membership Council

Composition:

• Committee should consist of at least five members.
• The chair shall recommend a Vice-Chair
• The term of office shall be two years and any member is eligible for one additional reappointment upon consensus of the Committee on Committee

Term of Office:

Chair: two years
Member: two years

AAHKS/Operation Walk Central Board

Objective: Facilitate and strengthen the partnership between AAHKS and Operation Walk chapters to enhance the mission of Operation Walk
Reporting relationship: Central Board will report to the Humanitarian Committee

Composition:

• The Central Board should consist of at least 10 members. Five AAHKS members (Not involved in leadership of Operation Walk chapters). Five Operation Walk members will be selected from the Operation Walk Leadership.
• The central board will partner with the Operation Walk Steering committee that should consist of a medical director and administrator per chapter.
• Humanitarian Chair should serve on this Board
• The Central Board should also include community members or industry representatives

Term of Office:
Operation Walk Central Board term – two years

Charges:

• Advocate for AAHKS with industry and advocate for industry within AAHKS 
• Further develop and expand the Corporate Partner Program 
• Monitor and support the AAHKS Annual Meeting Learning Center program 
• Monitor trends in industry and their impact on AAHKS as an organization and on the members in their practice of arthroplasty 
• Provide guidance on appropriate ethical relationships between members and industry 

Reporting relationship: The Industry Relations Committee reports to the Membership Council.

Composition: This committee shall consist of five members

Term of Office: 2 years
Maximum Terms: 2

Charge: The International Committee is responsible for the oversight of international activities and increasing international membership in AAHKS. Members plan ways to increase international member and nonmember participation in the Annual Meeting. They establish relationships with international adult reconstruction-focused specialty societies and organize joint meetings. The Committee provides academic, social and cultural exchange opportunities with the aim of broadening the perspective of our membership on issues related to our specialty.

Structure: The International Committee currently reports under the Membership Committee.

Composition:

Chair
Term: 2 years. Appointed by Appointed by Committee on Committees
Responsibilities include strategic alignment with BOD of AAHKS, oversight promotion and growth of IC, outreach and communication to international societies’ leadership, and reporting to and interface with BODs of AAHKS

Vice Chair (succeeds the Chair)
Term: 2 years. Appointed by Committee on Committees
Responsibilities include oversight of work done by subcommittee chairs, setting of goals for each of the subcommittees.

8 Members
4 US based members
Term: 2 years
Appointed by the Committee on Committees with input from the Chair of the Committee. To stagger the committee appointments and avoid excess turnover: 2 members will be appointed for 3 years, 2 members will be appointed for 2 years.

4 International members
Term: 2 years
Appointed by the Committee on Committees with input from the Chair of the Committee 2 members will be appointed for 3 years, 2 members will be appointed for 2 years. The members’ responsibility is to provide feedback to the IC and the BOD of AAHKS as to the needs of the International Community and promote AAHKS in their home society.

1 Resident member
Term: 1 year
Appointed by the Committee on Committees.

The committee will be divided up into 3 regions. Europe/Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Meetings: At the AAHKS Annual meeting, At the AAOS annual meeting, By phone at one other time during the course of the year as determined by the IC chair and at a time agreeable to the majority of the members

Maximum Terms: 2

Charges: The Member Outreach Committee is responsible for establishing and implementing goals for recruitment and retention of members. Members support the founding vision of AAHKS to be an open and welcoming association to professionals in the field of hip and knee arthroplasty. The Committee reviews membership applications and recommends candidates to the Board of Directors each month.

Applications of proposed members who are rejected by the Membership Committee shall be reviewed by the Executive Board.

Reporting relationship: The Membership Outreach Committee reports to the Membership Council

Composition: This committee shall consist of not less than five (5) Fellow Members. The 3rd Vice-President, upon election, shall appoint a Fellow Member to replace the member of the committee whose term of service expired. The term of appointment of a replacement member shall be whose term of service will begin immediately upon appointment.

The Chair shall be the Membership Committee member serving his/her fourth year on the committee and will serve a one-year term as Chair. During his/her fifth year on the committee, the committee member steps down as Chair, but remains on the committee for his/her fifth and final year.

Term of Office: The term of appointment shall be five (5) years. The term of service of the Chair will terminate immediately at the conclusion of the Interim Meeting.

Charge: The Women in Arthroplasty Committee (WIA) plans and oversees programs and activities that provide mentorship, professional development and networking for the growing membership of women in the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS).

Objectives

• Build mentorship pipeline programs for women students, residents and fellows
• Build a knowledge-based culture of inclusion in AAHKS
• Develop meaningful data-driven and feasible diversity and inclusion goals across AAHKS
• Promote education, leadership and professional development for women in arthroplasty
• Increase membership of women in AAHKS
• Assess and influence perception of women in arthroplasty
• Diversify our arthroplasty workforce to create an inclusive environment to counteract potential subconscious bias

Charge: connecting young arthroplasty surgeons who are less than five years in practice. YAG promotes collaboration and young surgeon activity within AAHKS with particular focus on research, leadership and advocacy.

Composition: AAHKS leadership created the Young Arthroplasty Group Committee to direct the work of the group and has populated the committee with energetic surgeons who are eager to help the group grow and offer our members meaningful benefits. The committee is comprised of a chair, vice-chair, two AAHKS leadership line representatives, and five liaisons.

Terms of Office: Chair, Vice Chair, Past Chair: 1 year Members: 2 years
Maximum Terms: 1