Over the past 10-15 years, the VOS Educational Foundation has helped countless VOS members. However, many members remain unaware of the VOSEF and the work this organization can do for them. In recent years, the VOS Board of Directors has taken a larger role in promoting the VOSEF and its mission. In this piece, we will explore what the VOSEF does and, more importantly, what the VOSEF can do for you, the VOS member.

The mission of the VOSEF is to enhance the educational opportunities of members of the VOS by providing academic scholarships, travel grants, and/or challenging professional development fellowships. I believe the key element of that mission is the "members of the VOS." The VOSEF is truly your organization, and the funding of scholarships, grants and fellowships is truly for you.

Structure of the VOSEF may be somewhat mysterious to many members, but the composition and function is actually quite simple. The Foundation has a Director (2-year appointment), an Assistant Director (2-year appointment), and a Board of Directors made up of 3 VOS members. The Director and Assistant Director are nonvoting members of the VOS Board of Directors. The VOSEF meets twice a year to discuss, as you might imagine, a number of unrelated yet interesting topics (those of you who have served on a board know what I'm talking about), but mostly funding initiatives, fund allocation and fundraising. The VOSEF does not select awardees or review grant applications.

The current funding initiatives of the VOSEF are the Mark Bloomberg Resident Research Award, the Hohn-Johnson Research Award, and the Wade O. Brinker Research Award. The Mark Bloomberg Resident Research Award is a travel grant awarded annually to seven residents aiding them in presenting their research at the VOS Conference. When considering the number of recipients of this award and their co-authors, the number of VOS members that have taken advantage of this award is staggering. The Hohn-Johnson Research Award and the Wade O. Brinker Research Award are research grants providing VOS members the financial means to foster research related to musculoskeletal problems facing today's veterinarians. The funding of these grants is up to $40,000 and $12,000, respectively. In addition to these current funding initiatives, the VOSEF is working on funding a VOS Student member travel grant and a VOS member professional development scholarship.

	VOS members socialize during Foundation Night.

The VOSEF is, quite obviously, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and funding comes directly from donations and fundraising. Foundation Night, during the VOS Conference, has been a fun and successful event over the last several years. There have been some great times watching comedians, magicians, hypnotists, VOS members having dance offs, and playing poker. Over the last 2 years, we have had great success raising money with the silent auction, and the VOSEF would love to see this event mature and grow. Donations for the auction from VOS members and the industry are on the rise, and many thanks go out to all of you. Cash donations from VOS members are also on the rise. Additionally, the ski race, another VOSEF fundraising event, has been very successful. Thank you again to all of those who participate in that exciting event.

Thanks for your time, your continued support, and allowing us the opportunity to illustrate how the VOSEF can be a valuable asset to you, the VOS member.

We invite practitioners, academicians, and researchers interested in large animal, small animal, and exotic species to submit abstracts of novel studies in practical and scientific topics related to veterinary orthopedics and traumatology. Preference will be given to abstracts that have clinical relevance. Papers addressing results of controlled retrospective and prospective clinical studies are strongly encouraged. Clinician investigators should also consider submitting innovative surgical techniques, or case reports describing unusual or difficult cases as these will be reviewed separate from the scientific abstracts. Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes and followed by 5 minutes of discussion. Posters must fit within the 4' (height) x 4' (width) area provided.

Call for papers will open on August 15th, 2016 and close on November 1st, 2016 for both podium presentations and posters.

Submission categories will be:

• Clinical/Scientific Studies


• Case reports: a maximum of three novel or interesting cases

The Mark S. Bloomberg Memorial Resident Research Award was established to recognize outstanding resident abstract submissions to the scientific program. At least one recipient per year will be awarded up to $1,500.00 towards expenses to attend and present their abstract at our annual meeting. Only individuals currently in a residency training program or within 2 years of completion of a formal residency program are eligible. The abstract submission may only be of studies conducted during the residency program. All abstracts being submitted for consideration of this award must indicate so on online submission form.
 
For more information, please contact:
Reunan Guillou, VOS Scientific Program Chair
Email address: reunanguillou@gmail.com
 
Jose Garcia-Lopez, VOS Assistant Scientific Program Chair
Email address: jose.garcia-lopez@tufts.edu