Annual Report 2020
Governance

Governance

AO Spine operates under its own governance model. The organization is managed by the AO Spine International Board and it has its own Regional Boards. The AO Spine Latin American Board is focused on activities within the region. Our responsibility and accountability is to deliver valuable products and services to our members.

Regional Board

Juan-Emmerich-480

Juan Emmerich

Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Jul 2019 – 30 Jun 2023

Luiz-Gustavo-Dal-Oglio-da-Rocha-360

Luiz Gustavo Dal Oglio da Rocha

Education

Term of office:

01 Jul 2020 – 30 Jun 2023

Fernando-Alvarado-360

Fernando Alvarado

Spine Centers & Fellowships

Term of office:

01 Jul 2019 – 30 Jun 2022

Marcelo-Valacco-480

Marcelo Valacco

Research

Term of office:

01 Jul 2018 – 30 Jun 2021

Michael-Dittmar-480

Michael Dittmar

Community Development

Term of office:

01 Jul 2019 – 30 Jun 2022

Antonio-Machado-480

Antonio Machado

Regional Director

Since:

01 Jan 2006

International Board

Rajasekaran-240

Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan

Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Jul 2018 – 30 Jun 2021

Asdrubal-Falavigna-480

Asdrubal Falavigna

Chairperson Elect

Term of office:

01 Jul 2020 – 30 Jun 2021

Emre-Acaroglu-480

Emre Acaroglu

Education

Term of office:

01 Jul 2020 – 30 Jun 2023

Dino-Samartzis-480

Dino Samartzis

Research

Term of office:

01 Jul 2018 – 30 Jun 2021

Norman-Chutkan-480

Norman Chutkan

Community Development

Term of office:

01 Jul 2018 – 30 Jun 2022

Alexander-Vaccaro-480

Alexander Vaccaro

Member Representative Elect

Term of office:

23 May 2020 – 17 Apr 2021

Jayr-Bass-360

Jayr Bass

AOSEU Chairperson

Since:

01 Jul 2015

Regional Boards Chairpersons

Manabu-Ito-480

Manabu Ito

AO SAP Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Aug 2019 – 30 Jun 2022

Lorin-Benneker-480

Lorin Benneker

AO SEU Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Jul 2018 – 30 Jul 2021

Mohammad-El-Sharkawi-480

Mohammad
El-Sharkawi

AO SME Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Jul 2018 – 30 Jul 2021

Juan-Emmerich-480

Juan Emmerich

AO SLA Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Jul 2019 – 30 Jul 2023

Michael-Daubs-480

Michael Daubs

AO SNA Chairperson

Term of office:

01 Aug 2019 – 30 Jun 2023

Latin America Chairpersons over the years

Luiz-Vialle-480

Luiz Vialle

Term of office:

01 May 2003 – 30 Apr 2007

Marcelo-Gruenberg-480

Marcelo Gruenberg

Term of office:

01 May 2007 – 30 Apr 2010

Osmar-Moraes-480

Osmar Moraes

Term of office:

01 May 2010 – 31 Jul 2013

Roberto-Chapa-480

Roberto Chapa

Term of office:

01 Aug 2013 – 30 Jun 2016

Asdrubal-Falavigna-480

Asdrubal Falavigna

Term of office:

01 Jul 2016 – 30 Jun 2019

Juan-Emmerich-480

Juan Emmerich

Term of office:

01 Jul 2019 – 30 Jun 2023

Country councils

The AO Spine Country Chapter is a means to consolidate the aspirations and different needs of national groups and provide opportunities for local members to get involved in AO Spine. A Country Chapter is managed by an elected AO Spine Country Council.

Several countries elected new council members in 2020

Argentina
In Argentina, Pablo Jalón was elected country council Chairperson and Nicolas Coombes Education Ortho. Both will serve until August 2023. They join Education Neuro representative Ignacio Barrenechea, who serves until September 2021.
Colombia
In Colombia, Rodolfo Paez was elected country council chairperson and will serve until January 2023. Elected as Education Ortho representative was Juan Manuel Sierra, whose term runs until January 2023.
Ecuador
In Ecuador, Marcelo Ochoa was elected country council Chairperson, William López as Education Ortho, and Duval Molina as Education Neuro, whose term runs until August 2023.
Mexico
In Mexico, Oscar Martinez was elected country council chairperson and will serve until January 2023.
Meet the council members and delegates

Task forces

During 2020, we had one active task force in Latin America: the Latin America Hospital Based Seminar Task Force members were responsible for create 12 new clinical cases and reviewed the seminars used at the seminars.

Latin America Hospital Based Seminar Task Force

Luiz-Gustavo-Dal-Oglio-da-Rocha-360

Luiz Gustavo Dal Oglio da Rocha​

Task Force Leader
Alexandre-Jaccard-240

Alexandre Jaccard

Task Force Member
Francisco-Sanchez-480

Francisco Sanchez

Task Force Member
Matias-Petracchi-480

Matías Petracchi

Task Force Member

Task forces can be a temporary grouping for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective related to our projects and programs.

Meetings

Around the world, the COVID-19 crisis has been the catalyst of important changes in our personal and working lives. We decided to adopt a virtual alternative to keep the meetings happening. During the last year, our board, councils, task forces and study groups met online several times to discuss key issues for the region.

AOSLA Board Meeting I

January 16-18, 2020. Curitiba, Brazil
Board Members

Antonio Machado (BR)
Asdrubal Falavigna (BR)
Fernando Alvarado (CO)
Juan Emmerich (AR)
Luiz Gustavo da Rocha (BR)
Marcelo Valacco (AR)
Michael Dittmar (MX)
Néstor Taboada (CO)

AO Spine

Ana Paula Ferreira (BR)
Carla Vinize (BR)
Idaura Lobo (BR)
João Vitor de Paula (BR)
Luana Torres (BR)
Renata Cardoso (BR)

Main Topics Discussed
  • Educational Plan 2020 and 2021
  • Specimen Course Curriculum
  • Faculty Development
  • Education Training Centers
  • Sponsor Modules
  • Non-AO events
  • Study Groups
  • Spine Centers Approval

AOSLA Board Meeting II {Online}

June 11, 2020
Board Members

Antonio Machado (BR)
Asdrubal Falavigna (BR)
Fernando Alvarado (CO)
Juan Emmerich (AR)
Luiz Gustavo da Rocha (BR)
Marcelo Valacco (AR)
Michael Dittmar (MX)
Néstor Taboada (CO)

AO Spine

Carla Vinize (BR)
João Vitor de Paula (BR)
Luana Torres (BR)
Renata Cardoso (BR)

Main Topics Discussed
  • Call for country council’s elections
  • Face to face activities
  • Advanced Surgery Training Center
  • Educational Database
  • Study Groups
  • 2020 Fellowships

AOSLA Board Meeting III {Online}

September 29, 2020
Board Members

Antonio Machado (BR)
Asdrubal Falavigna (BR)
Fernando Alvarado (CO)
Juan Emmerich (AR)
Luiz Gustavo da Rocha (BR)
Marcelo Valacco (AR)
Michael Dittmar (MX)
Néstor Taboada (CO)

AO Spine

Carla Vinize (BR)
Idaura Lobo (BR)
Luana Torres (BR)
Renata Cardoso (BR)

Main Topics Discussed
  • Spine Centers Webinars
  • Fellowships 2020 and 2021
  • Online Education
  • Education Plan 2021 and 2022
  • Management Updates

During the year we held two online councils meetings with each country council and several online study groups meetings. We took the opportunity to discuss administrative topics, talk about research projects ideas and review the forthcoming educational plan. Check some screenshots of those meetings below: