20th Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees in Venice, Italy

Handover of Presidency from R. Marti to J. Kellam





This year’s annual meeting of the Board of Trustees was held from June 21 to 24, 2004 at the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Venice Lido, Italy. The meeting was chaired by Prof. René Marti, President of the AO Foundation. 129 Trustees and ex officio Trustees attended the meeting.


The following new Trustees, who had been elected in 2003, were introduced to the plenary:
• Dr. E.S. Bersusky, Argentina
• Dr. J. Borrelli, USA
• Dr. Y.-R. Chen, Taiwan
• Dr. C. Turen, USA
• Dr. F. de la Huerta, Mexico
• Prof. A. Durandeau, France
• Dr. S. Fernandez, Chile
• Prof. P. Hoffmeyer, Switzerland
• Prof. D. Marchesi, Switzerland
• Dr. R. Mosheiff, Israel • Mr. J.K. O'Dowd, Great Britain
• Dr. R.F. Pesantez, Colombia
• Dr. E. Ramos, Mexico
• Prof. N. Schwarz, Austria
• Dr. M. Shindo, Japan
• Prof. K.M. Stürmer, Germany
• Prof. V. Vécsei, Austria
• Dr. M. Vrahas, USA
• Prof. K. Wenda, Germany



Prof. René Marti, President of the AO Foundation, Dr. Markus Rauh, Chairman of the Board of Directors (AOVA), Dr. Gregor Strasser, CEO and Urs Jann, Director Finance & Adm. reported their respective issues to the Board of Trustees during the administrative meeting.


Applause for the lectures in the plenary

Dr. James Kellam was elected as new President and Prof. Christiaan van der Werken as new President-Elect of the AO Foundation. Dr. Bruno Noesberger and Prof. Tim Pohlemann were elected to the AOVA. Prof. Cléber A. Paccola, Prof. Peter Trafton and Prof. Michael Wagner are elected new members to the Academic Council.


The following personalities were elected as new Trustees:
• Prof. H. Abdel Azeem, Egypt
• Dr. M. Baumgaertner, USA
• Prof. F. Franchin, Italy
• Dr. M. Janssen, USA
• Dr. M. K. Kremli, Saudi Arabia
• Dr. F. Leung, China
• Dr. J. E. Lindahl
• Prof. J. Monteiro, Portugal • Dr. V. Phiphobmongkol, Thailand
• Prof. H. Reilmann, Germany
• Prof. P. Reynders, Belgium
• Prof. P. M. Rommens, Germany
• Dr. S. Schelkun, USA
• Dr. D. Stephen, Canada
• Prof. L. R. Vialle, Brazil
• Dr. A. B. Vincent, New Zealand



Regional Luncheons: Get together of the European Trustees


Scientific presentations from highly qualified guest speakers as well as various trustees led to lively discussions during the three-day meeting. In the four parallel breakout sessions on Biotechnology, Technology Integration, Clinical Problems of the Surgeons of today and Knowledge Services the participants discussed in interdisciplinary groups issues of today.


R. Marti as “Casanova” at the Banquet

Prof. Günther Hierholzer, Mr. Robert Mathys, Prof. Peter Matter and Prof. Ernesto Zerbi were appointed honorary members of the Board of Trustees. The official meeting was closed after the handover of Presidency. Dr. James Kellam as new President of the AO Foundation presented his aims of presidency and thanked Prof. René Marti for his tireless work for the AO Foundation.


A diversified social program around the famous lagoon city of Venice surrounded the meeting. The event ended with a colourful mask ball at the beautiful Palazzo “Pisani Moretta”.
The 21st annual meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 21 to 24, 2005 in Amelia Island, Florida, USA.