Dear Colleagues,
Excitement abounds as plans for Leading the Race come to fruition. Our strong roots in motorsports medicine provided the inspiration for our 2021 Annual Conference, taking place in Indiana, also known as the racing capital of the world.
This year’s event promises to be the best yet, as our members continue to make groundbreaking advances that have improved road safety across the globe.
Indianapolis is the perfect setting from which to emerge from the pandemic and learn the latest developments in your areas of expertise. The Scientific Program Committee has selected the very best papers, short communications, and posters that highlight cutting-edge research. The student symposium promises to be outstanding and best of all, for those who wish to travel to Indiana, we will be able to network in person once again!
We will learn how the medical and engineering fields have worked collaboratively to advance safety in the racing world. One of our keynote speakers, Dr. Terry Trammell, has been at the forefront of both trauma care and engineering for safety in motorsports medicine and serves as a medical consultant to Indy Racing League/Indy Car.
Another exciting conference keynote will be James Green from NIOSH who has spearheaded the development of SAE standards for patient and attendant safety in the patient compartment of the ambulance and works at the forefront of ambulance safety planning.
Our third and final keynote is Dr. Avery Nathens, Chief of Surgery and the Trauma Medical Director at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. We are eager to hear Dr. Nathens’ insights on outcome measurement in trauma care.
Additionally, each of our outstanding Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will give a presentation that you will not want to miss on Automated Vehicles, Global Child & Youth Road Safety, and Road Safety in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. For those unable to attend the conference in person, we will be offering all three SIG sessions virtually and at no cost.
The AAAM President’s Reception and Recognition Dinner will be extraordinary as the setting will be the INDY 500 Brickyard Museum with access to historic race cars and a close look at the Borg Warner trophy.
Put the week of October 19th through the 22nd, 2021 on your calendar in red and register now to join your peers for what promises to be a landmark conference for AAAM.
For travelers outside of the U.S., the U.S. government currently requires a B-1 visa from most countries. Adding a B-2 visa allows you to travel extra days if desired. Visa procurement is a moving target and can be challenging, which is why applying early is important. Please note, there are restrictions and/or quarantine requirements on the entry of certain travelers into the U.S. due to COVID-19.
Of course, if travel is still not possible, you may still participate and are encouraged to register for the virtual conference.
Let’s reconnect! If COVID has taught us anything, it is that we need each other. I look forward to seeing everyone in Indianapolis.
Marilyn J. Bull, MD, FAAP