Message from the FIMS President
By: Prof. Walter Frontera, President of FIMS Date: June 18, 2008
Dear Colleagues:
Two years ago, the current FIMS Executive Committee (EC) was elected in Beijing, China to serve the organization for the period 2006-2010. It has been my pleasure to lead the Organization as President and to work closely with a highly dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers serving as officers, commission chairs, and commission members. In this message, I would like to briefly summarize the activities and accomplishments of FIMS in the first two years of this term.
The EC is working on strengthening the administrative structure of FIMS. The Treasurer has made changes to the financial process enhancing the use of electronic media to communicate with members. A new sponsor, Imagenetix, has joined FIMS and the EC is actively seeking other sources of support. This will result in additional revenue to support our educational mission. We are also encouraging National Associations to have their members join FIMS as “block members”. This alternative to individual membership provides excellent services to members including access to the electronic journal for a very low fee (US $10).
All four commissions have been working very hard to fulfill their goals. The Education Commission has been promoting the organization of team physician development courses in many countries (6 in 2007). A third edition of the TPDC manual is being prepared with Dr. Lyle Micheli as the Chief Editor. A new resource, the “Event Physician Manual”, will be edited by co-opted EC member Dr. David McDonagh and published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. The Scientific Commission has written eight new position statements on various issues. These statements have been published first, in our electronic journal. The Scientific Commission is already working on several new topics to be published at the end of the year 2008. The goal of the Interfederal Commission has been changed and the membership strengthened to include representatives from the medical commissions of several international sports federation. Finally, the Liaison Commission has been working hard to develop a model of a cooperative agreement for other international association to work together with FIMS.
Preparation for our next World Congress in Barcelona is underway, and we expect a magnificent scientific program in a wonderful sports-oriented city. The 2010 Congress will be held in Puerto Rico, and the host country for the 2012 Congress will selected in Barcelona. Finally, for the first time, FIMS will be joining efforts with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the International Council of Sports Science and Physical Education in organizing an International Convention to be held in Guangzhou, China during the first few day of August 2008.
A special working relationship has been established with the World Anti-Doping Agency, and with the International Paralympic Committee. The objective of this relationship is to cooperate in projects of mutual interest and of relevance to the sports medicine community.
In summary, we are engaged in a number of initiatives to promote health and well being amongst the peoples of the world via sports medicine. I would like to end this message with an invitation to you, colleagues and friends win sports medicine, to support our efforts and join FIMS.
Very sincerely yours,
Walter R. Frontera, MD, PhD
President
FIMS
