AOSSM members are physicians and allied
health professionals who demonstrate scientific leadership, involvement, and dedication in the daily practice of sports medicine. Members must demonstrate continuing active research and educational activities in the field of sports medicine. Such activities may include service as a
team physician at any level of competition, involvement in the health of
athletes, service to local, regional, national, and international competitions, and the presentation of
scientific research papers at sports medicine meetings. Members focus on the effects of exercise and the monitoring of its impact on active individuals of all ages, abilities, and levels of
fitness. While many members treat high-profile athletes who play on
professional teams, many also devote their practices to helping their
community by treating players on the local high school or
junior college team. Through research and advances in
surgical and rehabilitation techniques, orthopaedic sports medicine specialists have been able to treat and rehabilitate athletes whose injuries were once
career-ending and put them back in the game sooner. Members are broken down into seven different groups: active members, associate members, candidate members, affiliate members, honorary members, emeritus members, and inactive members.
Active members Active members are: U.S. or Canadian citizens who are orthopaedic surgeons specializing in sports medicine. They must: :# Hold membership in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or
Canadian Orthopaedic Association or they must be eligible for certification by the
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery :# Candidate applicants for active membership must be members for two (2) years. :# Noncandidate applicants must practice exclusively in orthopaedic surgery for at least two (2) years in their current location of practice. :# Must have attended an AOSSM Annual Meeting in the past five (5) years. :# Demonstrate a significant contribution and commitment to sports medicine through the following criteria as it relates to their practice: ::* Research and publication ::* Submission and presentation of papers at sports medicine functions ::* Education of persons providing healthcare to athletes ::* Service as a team physician at any level of competition ::* Continuing medical education in sports medicine ::* Service to local, regional, national, and international athletic competitions ::* Capacity to work with other members and contribute to the work of the Society ::* Compliance with other uniform rules and criteria as established by the
Board of Directors or Membership Committee Active members are eligible to vote, and unless specified otherwise, hold office in the Society.
Associate Members Associate members are: international orthopaedic surgeons practicing outside of the United States or Canada who are certified in orthopaedic surgery and members of their country's national orthopaedic organization, or osteopathic physicians not qualified to be Active Members but certified by the
American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. They must: :* Practice exclusively in orthopaedic surgery for at least two (2) years in their current location of practice. :* Must have attended an AOSSM Annual Meeting in the past five (5) years. :* Demonstrate a significant contribution and commitment to sports medicine as required of active members and as otherwise established by the Board of Directors and Membership Committee Associate members are not eligible to vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors. They may act in an
advisory capacity and unless specified otherwise, may serve on committees with vote.
Candidate Members Candidate members are physicians who are enrolled in or have completed an
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved orthopaedic sports medicine
fellowship in the United States or Canada. They must: :* Submit an application within the year of the fellowship or within one year of completion of an ACGME approved orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship program. :* Demonstrate a significant contribution and commitment to sports medicine as required of active members and as otherwise established by the Board of Directors and Membership Committee. Candidate members are not eligible to vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors. They may act in an advisory capacity and, unless specified otherwise, serve on committees with vote.
Affiliate Members Affiliate members are physicians, surgeons, or allied health professionals not qualifying for other membership categories who are interested in or contributing to the knowledge of sports medicine. They must: :* Be practicing in their current location for at least two years; :* Must have attended an AOSSM Annual Meeting in the past five (5) years. Affiliate members are not eligible to vote, hold office in the Society, or serve on the Board of Directors. They may act in an advisory capacity and unless specified otherwise may serve on committees with vote.
Honorary Members Honorary members are those who do not meet the qualifications of Active, Associate, or Affiliate membership, but who have made special contributions to sports medicine. They are not eligible to vote, hold office in the Society, or serve as a member of the Board of Directors, but may act in an advisory capacity and, unless specified otherwise, may serve on committees with vote. Nominees for honorary membership are submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration. A limited number of honorary members is determined by the Board of Directors.
Emeritus Members Emeritus members are an active member or affiliate member who has reached the age of 65 and is no longer engaged in active medical practice due to age or health. Emeritus Members are not eligible to vote, hold office, or serve as a member of the Board of Directors but may act in an advisory capacity and unless specified otherwise serve on committees with vote.
Inactive Member Inactive members are members or an allied health professional who have met the qualifications for any category of membership but are currently unable to practice medicine due to physical disability or such other reason acceptable to the Board of Directors. Inactive members are not eligible to vote, hold office, or serve as a member of the Board of Directors but may act in an advisory capacity and, unless specified otherwise, serve on committee with vote. ==AOSSM Meetings==