James P. Tasto, MD, Elected Chair of Academy Board of Specialty Societies

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - March 7, 2008) - Orthopaedic surgeon James P. Tasto, MD, was elected Chair of the Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) at the organization's 75th Annual Meeting, in San Francisco, and will sit on the Academy Board of Directors.

A graduate of the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Ill., Dr. Tasto is currently clinical professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of California, San Diego, and an orthopaedic surgeon at the San Diego Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, specializing in arthroscopy and sports medicine.

"I am honored to work with the Academy on behalf of the orthopaedic specialty societies," Dr. Tasto explained. "It is critical that all specialty societies work together to help further orthopaedic education, enhance patient care and participate in the unity effort."

Active in numerous professional organizations, Dr. Tasto has recently served as the president of the Board of Directors of the Orthopaedic Learning Center, chair of the membership committee of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and regional volunteer coordinator for the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. He is a past president of both the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the Western Orthopaedic Association's San Diego chapter, and currently serves as a member of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. Dr. Tasto is also a team physician for multiple local-area high schools and colleges, as well as an orthopedic consultant for the U.S. Olympic Men's Volleyball Team and U.S. National Soccer Teams.

Dr. Tasto currently serves on the editorial board for the Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review and is the department editor for the American Journal of Orthopaedics. In addition to publishing approximately 50 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts and audiovisual productions, Dr. Tasto has given more than 700 local, regional, national and international scientific presentations and lectures.

The recipient of numerous honors and awards, Dr. Tasto has received the Western Orthopaedic Association's 2004 Lloyd W. Taylor Award for submitting the best clinical research paper. He is also a three-time recipient of the Francis West Award for best clinical teacher from the University of California, San Diego.

About the BOS

About AAOS

To view this release online, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2008/aaos030708_personnel/assets/TASTO_BOS.pdf

Contact Information: For more information, contact: Lauren Pearson C: (224) 374-8610 O: (847) 384-4031 Catherine Dolf C: (847) 894-9112 O: (847) 384-4034