Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

The main purpose of the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS) is to provide an opportunity to share medical knowledge as it relates to the Orthopaedic surgery in the army. SOMOS will have at least one general meeting each year. This meeting will be about scientific nature. The scientific meeting provides an opportunity for presentation of research papers in mutual setting, whereas SOMOS members may pursue critical and constructive examination of their observations, conclusions, and references. The annual meeting also provides many opportunities for SOMOS members to meet in casual setting to establish or renew acquaintances, share recent experiences, and solve common problems.

The 1st meeting of a military orthopaedic organization later known as the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, established during the Annual meeting in 1958 of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, in New York City. The opening meeting of military orthopaedic surgeons, which was inaugurated in Governor’s Island in New York Harbor, was attended by COL John Blair, MC, American Army; COL Sterling Ritchie, MC, American Army; COL Paul Brown, MC, American Army; COL Robert Hall, MC, American Army; COL Ernst Dehne, MC, American Army; CAPT Red Stephenson, MC, American Navy; and Col Earl "Pat" Brannon, MC, American Air Force.