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Christopher Harner, M.D., presents his farewell address as president of the
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine as his
brother, wife and children watch. |
Giving an impassioned, education-themed speech before some
1,300 sports medicine surgeons, physicians, physical therapists and more,
Christopher Harner, M.D., of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh,
bade farewell to his
one-year term as the president of the American
Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) at its Chicago convention
Friday. But he isn’t leaving them behind completely.
Dr. Harner noted at the start Friday that he’d been
preparing for this speech for 26 years, since he first became active – and
first was honored – as a researcher and educator in AOSSM. He said he isn’t about
to stop his association, either. After a presidential term where the group launched a new publication for physicians, grew its membership and launched new
initiatives amid a changing medical landscape, Dr. Harner will remain on the group's board
as president emeritus and expects to serve it for years.
“Lifelong learning is the key to our professional success
and happiness,” Dr. Harner concluded in his half-hour speech. “Do not
underestimate the power of education, collegiality and camaraderie in the
constantly evolving world of sports medicine. We are blessed and privileged to be a part of this great profession. I
am humbled and honored to have served as your president.”
He was greeted by a
standing ovation and, the same as his entrance amid a group of colleagues, the
tune “We Are Family.”
His speech was the morning highlight of the second day at an AOSSM
convention filled with Pitt and UPMC honors and presentations.
Labels: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, UPMC Center for Sports Medicine