Dear friends,

The most critical assets in an organization are people. Following this concept, I welcome the two new members of the regional board: Dr. Marcelo Valacco, as Research Officer, and Dr. Juan Emmerich, as the Chairperson-Elect. I wish both an excellent term. AOSpine Latin America is in excellent and professional hands.

Different actions were necessary to follow the AO Foundation guidelines to further improve sustainability, raise the quality of education, and keep AOSpine as the leading community of spine surgeons.

Education is more customized and focuses on fulfilling the needs of spine surgeons as individuals. Your demands and expectations as members of AOSpine, drove the entire region forward. The idea was to deliver to each of YOU the knowledge and skills necessary to improve YOUR practice and better treat YOUR patients. A greater number of hands-on practical courses was programmed to increase confidence during surgical procedures. The hospital-based seminars are growing in number, quality, and visibility for AOSpine. All the practical training was supplemented by online activities, which provides an opportunity to reach every corner of Latin America involving about 1500 participants and over 20 speakers in 2018 alone.

We are excited about several things for 2019. The Continuing Education Program will be certified by the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS) as a Post-Graduation course. Save the date for the 2019 Regional Course in Santiago on June 6-8. We look forward to seeing you also at the Centro American & Caribbean Advanced Symposium in Panama, on September 27-28. Both courses have a remarkable program and a faculty group and are an excellent opportunity to make new friends and interact with our speakers.

The year 2018 showed challenges and significant achievements in our region that will be presented in detail in the Education, Research, Community development, and Spine Centers and Fellowship sections.

Success is the result of the work of many people: Board, Office, Chapters, Faculty, AOSpine members and partnerships. I am very proud and happy with the accomplishments during my 3-year term. The accomplishments were only possible because we worked together and each of you are part of this endeavor and must also feel proud. Thank you for your continuous support and trust to further increase the accomplishments of AOSpine Latin America.