From the USANZ Operations Room

For UroNews 3 September 2021

It is unfortunate, but once again this edition of the USANZ Operations Room is coming to you, not from the USANZ Operations Room, but from home lockdown. As we finalise putting this edition together, NSW, Victoria the ACT and New Zealand are all experiencing rising cases of infection with state border restrictions in place. The ongoing uncertainty continues to provide challenges to our team in planning our operations. We will endeavour to keep all Members up to date with the latest information as we have done and appreciate your patience as we all learn to adapt to the challenges.

On 19 August, I logged on to the 2021 UAA Virtual Congress to attend the South East Zone scientific program, co-convened by David Winkle (UAA President-elect) and Shomik Sengupta. I know there were over 100 USANZ Members who logged on to take part in the session and support their colleagues, which is an excellent response and a great show of support for the event which we are excited to be hosting in Sydney in 2022. More information about this will be coming to Members very soon.

USANZ Member Caroline Dowling presenting during the South East Zone Program as part of UAA 2021 Virtual.

The following week on 25 August, I attended the Australian Orthopaedic Association's webinar Leading in a Crisis. In response to the question 'What have we learnt about leadership from the COVID pandemic?" we heard from Tony Stewart, Medical Epidemiologist and Lead with WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network (GOARN) and Annette Holian, AOA Vice-President, RACS Councillor, RAAF Group Captain and Clinical Director of Surgery, and orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. The discussion was excellent and provided unique perspectives on crisis management. USANZ has a strong association with the AOA and I highly recommend their series of webinars. You can find out more information about the webinars on AOA website.

Until next month, stay safe.

Michael Nugara
USANZ CEO