Dorit, please tell us how you came to choose Dr Steve Viegas as the 2012 Presidential Invited Speaker:
I first met Dr Viegas years ago when he was the chief of Hand Surgery in the Orthopedic department of UTMB in Galveston. We saw patients together and I had the distinct pleasure of treating his patients. Besides the enormous amount of research that he has done on bio mechanics, Steve Viegas is a consummate teacher and a natural born entertainer. He has the ability to take very complicated concepts and break them down so that when you listen to him, you wonder why you have not understood such "simple" thing until now. Therefore, the combination of his research background on mechanics of the wrist combined with his ability to explain complex principles made him my number one choice for the 2012 Presidential Invited Speaker.
What can you tell us about International Featured Speaker, Dr Yafi Levanon?
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Levanon when I was an invited speaker for the Israeli Hand Society. Many of you have met her as she has attended several of our hand society meetings and presented her work. Yafi is an excellent therapist who is involved in very interesting ergonomic research in Israel. I look forward to hearing her speaking about Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Hand Rehabilitation.
This year we have representatives from both AOTA and APTA attending our annual meeting and presenting together on a legislative panel. Please tell us a little more:
One of our society goals is to connect our members to their parent organizations and bring together our parent organization to explore common ground. We are in the unique situation where we bridge two very distinct professions that have many overlaps. It is exciting to have both organizations presenting together as we explore legislative issues that affect both professions.
Which annual meeting session are you most looking forward to?
The annual meeting has a potpourri of offerings. People at all stages of their hand therapy education will find something to elevate their knowledge and awareness. I most look forward to the scientific sessions. It is exciting to see and hear research in our field from around the world, and to hear new ideas. This conference allows researchers and clinicians to have a platform to share their findings. This is what makes the ASHT Annual Meeting unique from any other hand meeting.
Under the leadership of Mirka Normand, the Annual Meeting Committee has put together an exciting program, both scientifically and socially. I look forward to meeting and greeting therapists from around the world in San Diego!