“The organization is the only representative of the orthopedic surgeons in the state and is the only group with the same collective interests. We are being confronted by state and federal guidelines and rule changes, confronted in terms of scope of practice by all the groups who want a piece of our pie (podiatrists, physiotherapists, workman's comp etc.), and without our organization to speak for us, there is no support for orthopaedic surgeons in the state to maintain the viability of their practices. We would be sailing on a rudderless ship. The members and colleagues who serve on the board do so without any reimbursement because they believe that they can play a role for the greater good of the orthopaedic surgeons in the state.” - Noah Finkel, MD – Huntington, New York
NYSSOS membership allowed me to have a group to relate to and advocate with when I left Academic Full Time Academic practice in 2000; advocate for state and personal issues at the Academy level; allowed me to advocate for society and personal issues at the State and National level; advance my position as an Arbitration Board member for Worker's Comp and advocate for Orthopaedic Surgery at this level; assume positions as an expert reviewer with OPMC, The NYS Attorney General's Office, and the US Attorney's Office; and allowed me to assume a position of prominence as an advocate for liability reform and worker's compensation reform.”
- John Olsewski, MD – Bronx, New York
“I have been able to learn the value of advocacy in my profession. There isn’t a staff meeting that occurs in which one of my partners protests about reimbursement, rules, or laws enacted at the state or federal level. Without advocacy, protest is without merit. Advocacy at the State and National level allows for an appropriate discussion with our elected leaders and staff with an effort to educate them about the true impact on our patients and practices.” - Michael Rauh, MD – Orchard Park, New York