CHICAGO – Steve Gnatz, MD, MHA, has taken over as the new president of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI).
"It’s a particular honor to serve in a new capacity at such an exciting time in our organization’s history," said Dr. Gnatz, who formerly served as USBJI’s president-elect. "I invite you to join me in helping USBJI continue to advance musculoskeletal care."
Dr. Gnatz said two of his priorities as president will be gaining a better understanding of members’ interests and looking for ways to serve those interests while advancing USBJI’s mission. He said asking the question "how will this create or add value to our members" is a good barometer for evaluating proposed new efforts. "This question can also help assess current programs and consider how they might be modified or enhanced," he added.
Dr. Gnatz is a professor in the department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation; section chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; and medical director, inpatient rehabilitation at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. Clinically, he specializes in musculoskeletal medicine with a strong interest and expertise in cost-effective practice.
New Board representatives, and the organizations which they represent include: Dr. Thomas Best, American College of Sports Medicine; Dr. Beatrice Edwards, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; Dr. Richard Haynes, Orthopaedic Research & Education Foundation; Marjorie Kulesa, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses; Barbara Sack, MHSA, CMPE, American Association of Orthopaedic Executives; Dr. Laura Tosi, American Orthopaedic Association; Dr. Peter Trafton, Orthopaedic Trauma Association; and Dr. John Ventura, American Chiropractic Association. Anita Bemis-Dougherty, PT, DPT, MAS, American Physical Therapy Association, has been re-elected as secretary.
USBJI is a unique organization of organizations that brings together the spectrum of stakeholders concerned with musculoskeletal health. It is one of more than 60 national action networks of the worldwide Bone and Joint Decade, a global alliance endorsed by the United Nations and the World Health Organization. For more information on USBJI and its programs, visit www.usbji.org.