ASSH Annual Meeting Preview with Meeting Chairs Lindley Wall and Carl Harper

Chuck and Chris are joined by the co-chairs of the ASSH Annual Meeting, Lindley Wall and Carl Harper.  They share insights on ALL of the exciting plans for the robust annual meeting in Vancouver.  Join us and get excited about the. meeting with a few insider tips.

We mention a new book about Sterling Bunnell.  If you are not going to the meeting and would like to purchase a copy, use this link.

https://american-society-for-surgery-of-the-hand.myshopify.com/products/dr-sterling-bunnell-from-son-of-the-gold-rush-to-founding-father-of-hand-surgery

We are in need of a podcast intern!  We would appreciate any referrals!

See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities.

The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/.

As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music.

For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

Transcript

Summary

Charles and Christopher discussed the podcast featuring Dr. Lindley Wall and Dr. Carl Harper, co-chairs of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Surgery of the Hand. 

Dr. Bunnell Book Signing Event

The meeting discussed an upcoming book about Dr. Sterling Bunnell, a founding father of hand surgery, written by Anthony Smith and Steve McCabe. Charles and Christopher announced an author signing at the upcoming meeting and encouraged attendees to purchase autographed copies. They also promoted a live podcast event in Vancouver on October 10th, at 2:45pm in rooms 114-115.  They invited suggestions for the discussion and encouraged attendance. The conversation ended with a plug for sponsors PracticeLink.com and Checkpoint Surgical, highlighting an industry forum at the ASSH Annual Meeting.

2025 ASSH Annual Meeting Planning

Charles, Christopher, Lindley Wall, and Carl Harper discussed the upcoming 2025 ASSH Annual Meeting in Canada, highlighting its significance and the collaborative efforts of Lindley and Carl as program chairs. They shared their backgrounds and how they came to be involved in the planning process, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of the role. The group expressed excitement about the meeting and their plans to engage with speakers and attendees, drawing from their experiences at previous events.

Evidence to Impact" Session Planning

The meeting focused on preparations for an upcoming annual meeting, with Lindley and Charles discussing session formats and content. They highlighted the introduction of "Evidence to Impact" sessions, which integrate research papers with talks and case discussions, and mentioned the empowerment of moderators to adapt sessions as needed. The meeting's attendance numbers were reported to be strong, and both speakers expressed pride in the meeting's structure and content, with 15 such new sessions planned.

Hand Society Annual Collaboration Meeting

The Hand Society Annual Meeting this year focuses on collaboration and collegiality, with a sold-out Flaps course and a clinical passport program for younger members to engage with industry partners. The meeting has been designed to be accessible and applicable to all attendees, particularly addressing the 80% of non-academic members, and includes sessions on business aspects and work-life balance. The meeting also integrates the Canadian Hand Therapy Society and includes special programming for APPs, building on the success of last year's initiatives.

Conference Schedule and Activities Overview

The meeting discussed the schedule for an upcoming conference, starting with pre-courses on Wednesday and the main event on Thursday. Tuesday is dedicated to residents and fellows, with content including a Flaps course and Young Surgeon's Boot Camp. Wednesday features pre-courses starting at 7am, a Quiz Bowl, and a wrist arthroscopy course run by IWAS. The Solution Center opens on Wednesday, offering a passport program where attendees can earn prizes by visiting industry booths, with the grand prize being a free hotel stay in Boston for the 2026 meeting.

Pre-Course and Event Highlights

The meeting discussed various pre-courses scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, including topics like nerve and tendon transfers, wrist arthroscopy, and denervation procedures. Carl and Lindley highlighted the importance of the Young Surgeon's Boot Camp course and encouraged residents and fellows to attend. Lindley detailed the schedule for Thursday, mentioning the start of ASSH theater sessions, e-poster presentations, and bioskills events, as well as a presidential guest lecture by Gabrielle Camara, a renowned Mexican chef. The day will conclude with a presidential address and a welcome reception outside the convention center, featuring a special lighting of the Olympic torch.

Academic and Social Event Planning

The group discussed Friday events including the Founders Lecture by Dr. Balazar and Baratz, as well as an international guest lecture on "Nerve through Art" from George Clifton. They highlighted a new format for award presentations during a luncheon and planned sessions on skills, current concepts, and controversies, concluding with "unanswered questions with experts" discussions. Social events, including WashU's fellowship reunion, were scheduled for Friday night, with academic activities wrapping up by 5:15 PM to allow for socializing without late finishes.

Vancouver Hand Society Meeting Highlights

The upcoming Hand Society meeting in Vancouver promises to be amazing, and Carl and Lindley highlighted the unique aspects of the location, including the glass convention center offering stunning views and the incorporation of Vancouver's beauty into the meeting's design. Lindley emphasized the progress made in inclusivity, noting the availability of childcare and a mother's lounge, which reflects a shift in the organization's approach to accommodate all participants. Christopher and Charles discussed the camaraderie and informal interactions that make the meeting special, while Charles expressed gratitude for the efforts put into organizing the event.