Introducing the Newly Established AO TESA Research Committee

In the fall of 2023, The AO Foundation Board created an internal task force to evaluate how the AO could more effectively and efficiently use its funds to equitably support research activities in different clinical divisions and countries. The task force recommend that research funds become centrally organized so that funding is now available to everyone in an operating region, rather than allocated to certain countries and clusters as previously structured.

As a result of the restructuring, The AO Trauma Europe and Southern Africa region (TESA) felt that a new method for defining research goals and evaluating project proposals was crucial to maintain the credibility of the mini grants selection process.

Therefore, the AO TESA region is excited to announce the establishment of the TESA Research Committee. The committee leverages a diverse range of expertise from our former country and section clusters to define a robust framework for evaluating research proposals and engaging in collaborative and balanced decision making. As the AO strives to support and shape the emerging generation of diverse, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable surgeons, the TESA Research Committee will be an integral part of ensuring young surgeons learn and pursue best practice in their research and ultimately improve trauma care and outcomes.

The first term of the Research Committee commenced on the 28th of May 2024 and ends on the 30th of June 2027. The founding members were appointed to the committee and will implement a transparent and fair selection process for future committee member rotations. The committee chair serves a three-year term, the first term is from June 2023 – June 2026.

Our current committee members are as follows: Committee Chair An Sermon; permanent guest from the AO TESA Board, Marco Berlusconi; and members representing the former country and clusters sections: Richard Stange, Caroline Hing, Miguel Angel Giraldez, Bjarke Viberg, Alexandre Sitnik, FP du Plessis, and Alessandro Aprato. The open committee position for Austria will be filled by the end of 2024. The committee is assisted by the Project Coordinator for Regional Research Activities, Juliette Cooper-Hostettler, who is part of the regional ESA team and is supported by AO TESA regional board manager Christoph Volz.

The AO TESA Research Committee is excited to contribute to the expansion of trauma care innovation in the ESA region.