Message from the Program Chair

January 15-18, 2005

Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Geoffrey Robb, M.D.

It was a great pleasure to welcome you to the 21st annual meeting of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. This year's program represented a refreshing departure from the traditional meeting schedule. The number of panels and instructional courses was increased again this year in response to expressed support for these preferred formats by our Society members, as well as the generous participation of our invited national and international microsurgery and complex reconstruction experts. The first two days of the meeting were again conjoint sessions with the American Association for Hand Surgery and the American Society for the Peripheral Nerve, respectively. Our ongoing collegial collaboration with these Societies on Saturday and Sunday featured outstanding instructional courses and controversial panel discussions.

Of particular interest this year was the new Master Series in Microsurgery offered on Saturday. This interactive video forum highlighted complex flap elevation techniques performed by well-known international experts, in concert with discussant-led audience participation. Also new this year were scientific sessions held concurrently on Monday and Tuesday, optimally to encompass a vast array of clinical and basic science study presentations featuring invited discussants from our international membership.

We were honored to have the Founder's Lecture given this year by Dr. Isao Koshima from the University of Tokyo. The Godina Lecture was presented by this year's fellow, Dr. Michael Neumeister. In addition, Dr. Ian Taylor was the first honoree to deliver the highly regarded Buncke Lecture, and there was also a special President's Invited Lecture given by Dr. Gary Burget from Chicago.

The Annual Day at the Links tournament held on Saturday once again satisfied the competitive spirits of golf enthusiasts, and that day was rounded out at an evening Reception with the Exhibitors.

The Society sincerely appreciated the diligent efforts of our ASRM Council members, the Program Committee, and the ASRM President, Dr. Robert Walton. This year's program enhanced our enthusiasm for our unique specialty and our mutual interaction as an international membership. I hope you all enjoyed your sojourn in Puerto Rico.