2020 has clearly been a challenge for all our activities. The word ‘reinvent’ has come up in most sectors, and the virtual has replaced the presential. AO Spine Latin America did not miss this opportunity and, once again, was up to the challenge, delivering an outstanding research production by many of our members.

First, another instance of the Continuing Education Program in Research was held, in a three-month online format, with active participation of tutors and students, and a high rate of interaction. In this type of course the student approaches the fundamentals of research, learns how to ask the right questions, how to search in databases, and how to consolidate it into a publication.

However, something very important distinguished this pandemic year: the hard work of the members of the four Study Groups. In this regard, remote working was highly productive, and countless studies were conducted, many of them published, others still in review. This was a milestone for our region since no multicenter studies had ever been done in such quantity and quality in the short history of AO Spine Latin America. It is an honor to know that we have such outstanding professionals in our region, and to have the opportunity to interact with them. They guide young surgeons on the path of research, so desired and at the same time not so profitable. A toast to this milestone reached in our region!

Researching, asking questions, seeking information, sharing it with colleagues for discussion, and applying it to our patients’ next therapy is undoubtedly what will distinguish us as professionals before medical societies and before our patients.

I encourage all of you to go further; research in our region is a diamond in the rough. Let us raise the bar.

Congratulations to all, and here is to a successful 2021.