South Dakota State Orthopaedic Society receives national AAOS 2015 State Society of the Year Award
Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center surgeon Dr. Stephen Eckrich will accept award
RAPID CITY, S.D., April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The South Dakota State Orthopaedic Society is the recipient of the 2015 State Society of the Year Award by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Dr. Stephen Eckrich, orthopedic surgeon at Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center, along with two other representatives, will accept the award on behalf of the SDSOS in Washington, D.C., May 1.
In its announcement of the award, the AAOS Selection Committee stated, "[We were] very impressed by the South Dakota State Orthopaedic Society's accomplishments and commitment to excellence. Your society's application stood out among the many qualified applicants."
Founded in 1933, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the preeminent provider of musculoskeletal education to orthopedic surgeons worldwide. The AAOS is dedicated to upholding standards and pursuing continual advancements in the field of orthopedic medicine.
Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Eckrich, who also serves as South Dakota's representative to the Academy, noted that, "The early and significant participation of South Dakota's orthopedic surgeons in the passage of Initiated Measure 17 on Patient Choice was a key factor in our selection for this award."
"I am proud of the efforts of all of South Dakota's doctors, especially the orthopedic surgeons, in their successful campaign to preserve doctor-patient relationships, which are essential to the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective health care," adds Dr. Eckrich.
Dr. Eckrich, alongside Dr. Peter Looby of Sioux Falls and Dr. James MacDougall of Aberdeen, will accept the award in Washington, D.C., on May 1. Eckrich will also be participating in a symposium at the conference, discussing the successful passage of IM 17, a measure voters approved in November 2014 requiring health insurers to include all willing and qualified medical providers on their provider lists.
Meeting annually, the South Dakota State Orthopaedic Society is comprised of orthopedic surgeons from within the state of South Dakota, and led by elected board members, to promote, protect and improve public health, provide leadership and advocacy in the field of orthopedic medicine and protect the healthcare interests of the orthopedic medical community in South Dakota.
SOURCE Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center
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