Early Spring Newsletter 2026
Dear Members of the Iowa Orthopaedic Society,
Save the Date!
The Iowa Orthopaedic Society Spring Conference will be held on Friday, April 10. We look forward to welcoming you for an outstanding program featuring nationally recognized speakers, research updates, and advocacy news from AAOS President, Dr Wilford Gibson.
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Conference Location & Lodging
Hyatt Regency Coralville
Room reservations are available at the conference rate and must be booked by March 19.
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Register for the conference:
https://iowaorthopaedic.org/spring-meeting-registration/ -
Book your hotel room:
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/IOWRC/G- LQW9
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Featured Speakers
We are excited to welcome the following speakers this year:
Dr. Wendy Ramalingam
Associate Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Ramalingam is a board-certified pediatric orthopaedic surgeon specializing in pediatric trauma, infections, and lower extremity deformity reconstruction and lengthening. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, completed residency at the University of Cincinnati, and fellowship training at Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She also has specialized training in adult orthopaedic trauma and pelvic fracture surgery.
Dr. Robert LaPrade
Sports Medicine specialist with Twin Cities Orthopedics and a leader in complex knee injuries.
Dr. Wilford Gibson
President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He specializes in orthopedic trauma; hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction and replacement; and sports medicine
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Iowa Orthopaedic Research Foundation (IORF)
The Iowa Orthopaedic Research Foundation, chaired by Dr. Karam, is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 2026.
Overview and Purpose
Please send inquiries to [email protected] or [email protected]
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AAOS Advocacy & PAC Update
Message from Dr. Cass Igram
Treasurer, AAOS Political Action Committee
University of Iowa Department of Orthopedics
Greetings from Iowa City,
The Political Action Committee (PAC) of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons has served our profession for over 20 years by endorsing candidates who support issues affecting the House of Orthopaedics. Advocacy has become an increasingly vital function of AAOS, and the PAC plays a key role in advancing these efforts.
The PAC is strictly non-partisan and supports both Republican and Democratic congressional candidates. Our Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C. works tirelessly on behalf of orthopaedic surgeons nationwide, and these efforts require sustained financial support.
Historically, fewer than 20% of active fellows donate to the PAC, compared with over 90% participation in organizations such as the American Bar Association. While members of the Iowa Orthopaedic Society have been supportive, there is room for growth.
Donating is simple—visit the AAOS website and click on the Advocacy tab. To those who have already contributed, thank you for your continued support.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, April 10 for a great meeting and appreciate your ongoing engagement with the Iowa Orthopaedic Society.
Sincerely,
Stacy Grenell, Executive Director
Iowa Orthopaedic Society
IOS Fall / Winter 2025 Newsletter
Iowa Orthopaedic Society 2025 Fall/Winter Newsletter
Call for Spring Meeting Abstracts
presentation at our annual IOS spring meeting.
The meeting date is Friday, April 10, 2026 and will likely be held at the new University of Iowa
Health Care Medical Center North Liberty in the conference center.
Abstracts will be accepted from any current Iowa Orthopedic Society Member and any current
Iowa orthopedic surgery resident. Abstract submission is now open and we will accept abstracts
until Feb 28, 2026.
We anticipate selecting 5 abstracts for podium presentation at the meeting but reserve the
right to select more.
Presenting author
Corresponding author with contact information
Purpose
Methods
Results
Discussions
Conclusion/summary (1 sentence)
Maximum 400 words
One figure/table allowed
Abstracts may have been submitted to other meetings but must not have been
previously presented or accepted for publication at the time of submission
November is the month to renew your membership in IOS
You can start at the https://iowaorthopaedic.org/ website and click the drop down for Membership. Individual membership and group memberships can be accessed from this location, as can Emeritus, Residents, and Fellowship forms. If you are renewing membership as an individual, the annual membership cost is $350. If you are renewing membership in a group, the annual membership cost is $300 per person. If you have new members in your group practice, please encourage them to become a member of IOS. The membership application form can be found under the Membership dropdown.
What do you receive with your membership? Benefits of membership in the Iowa Orthopaedic Society are beyond the education and political arena. The benefits of networking in these times is a distinct advantage. It also provides an annual opportunity to gain CMUs while learning interactively from your peers.
Thank you for your renewal and continued support.
IOS NEWSLETTER - Heather Kowalski, President
I’m honored to serve as President of the Iowa Orthopedic Society for the 2025–2026 term and am excited for the opportunity to work alongside our outstanding membership in the year ahead.
We’re pleased to announce that the 2026 IOS Spring Meeting has been scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026, and will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Coralville. We’re planning an engaging and expanded program this year, and I’m looking forward to a great meeting.
A call for abstracts will be announced soon. This is a fantastic opportunity for both our community orthopedic partners and residents to showcase their research and current projects. We hope this new meeting location will foster greater collaboration and networking between community surgeons and trainees.
Having served on the IOS board for many years, I’m committed to growing our membership and strengthening our voice across the state. One of my goals this year is to reach out to orthopedic surgeons in Iowa who are not yet members and share the value IOS offers—both in advocacy and in supporting excellence in patient care.
Here’s to a productive year ahead and an outstanding Spring Meeting in North Liberty this April!
Warm regards,
Heather Kowalski
President, Iowa Orthopaedic Society
2025–2026 Term
Transitions
IOS Executive Director, Pat Buelow, announced her transition out of the executive director position at the 2025 Spring meeting. It is with true gratitude we thank Pat for her excellent work since 2014. Her accomplishments behind the scenes over the years are quite remarkable. Above all has been her genuine interest and kindness toward the people she is serving. We wish her and her husband, Barry (shout out to I.T. specialist), the very best.
Transitioning into the executive director position is Stacy Grenell. Stacy is an Iowan native who graduated from the University of Iowa College of Nursing. She has practiced in a variety of nursing positions including orthopedics. Stacy and her husband live in the Des Moines area and have three active sons in elementary school. To help Stacy transition into the executive director position, Pat has graciously agreed to consult and Cindy McCoy-an assistant to Pat at conferences-will also continue.
Please address questions/communications to:
Stacy Grenell
[email protected]
319-981-3329
6356 Crocker St
Windsor Heights, IA 0324
Welcome, Stacy!