Embargoed for Release:             February 27, 2009
For more information, contact:

Catherine Dolf   C: (847) 894-9112 or O: (847) 384-4034  dolf@aaos.org
Lauren Pearson  C: (224) 374-8610 or O: (847) 384-4031  lpearson@aaos.org

William J. Robb, III, MD, Elected Chair of
Academy Board of Specialty Societies

LAS VEGAS – Orthopaedic surgeon William J. Robb, III, MD, was elected Chair of the Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) at their 2009 Annual Meeting and will serve on the Academy’s Board of Directors.

The purpose of the BOS is to represent the interests of its orthopaedic specialty society members while promoting unity and collaboration between the specialty societies and the Academy.  Acting as an advisory board, the BOS serves as a resource to its specialty society members as well as the AAOS Board of Directors and other Academy organizational units

A graduate of the University of Iowa Medical School, Dr. Robb is currently chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Illinois and associate clinical professor at Northwestern University Medical School.  His clinical practice is devoted to adult reconstructive knee surgery with research interests in computer assisted surgery. 

“Orthopaedic surgery has 23 important specialty organizations that are critical parts of our future,” Dr. Robb explained.  “Recognizing this importance, the BOS will expand participation from each of its member organizations to foster unity and advance the entire specialty.  I am honored to serve as this year’s leader to our many rapidly growing and important orthopaedic specialty organizations.”

Active in numerous professional organizations, Dr. Robb will also take the helm as president for the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) on February 28, 2009.  He is currently a trustee and treasurer for the Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation (OREF) and a member of the American Orthopaedic Association, the American Medical Association and the Illinois Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 

Dr. Robb has given many local, regional and national scientific presentations and lectures. He has served as faculty on over a dozen orthopaedic instructional courses.  In addition to publishing five peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Dr. Robb is currently conducting research on the areas of computer-assisted knee surgery, thrombosis prophylaxis following total knee arthroplasty and informed decision making in older patients.

As Chair of the BOS, Dr. Robb will focus on:

• The completion and implementation of the reorganized BOS
• The role of orthopaedics for both health care reform and medical information technology
• Increased collaboration with the AAOS Board of Councilors

When not in the operating room and seeing patients, Dr. Robb enjoys skiing and golfing with his family and two grandsons. Dr. Robb and his wife Christine Olson Robb, are also committed to the support of art through the Block Museum, the Chicago Craft Exposition and the Art Institute of Chicago.

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