Newswise — Nine institutions from eight countries are participating in the inaugural meeting of the International Specialty Orthopaedic Collaboratorium (ISOC), hosted by New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery. The ISOC will offer an international perspective to experts in the orthopedic field on specialty musculoskeletal care, research and education.

The two-day symposium will take place Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, 2007.

"The mission of the ISOC is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices among the premier specialty orthopedic institutions in the world," said Thomas P. Sculco, M.D., surgeon-in-chief at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). "By bringing together thought leaders in the orthopedic community from all over the world, the ISOC will provide an opportunity to impart knowledge on patient care, education and research-based programs to enhance orthopedic care on a global scale."

Twenty specialists from nine major institutions will participate in this year's ISOC meeting. Institutions represented include Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Chile; Endo Klinik, Germany; Instituto Nacional De Rehabilitacion, Mexico; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Italy; Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Italy; Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China; Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, United Kingdom; and Schulthess Klinik, Switzerland.

More specifically, the ISOC objectives are:"¢ To promote scientific, clinical and educational collaboration among participating institutions"¢ To improve quality of patient care through sharing of clinical pathways and treatments"¢ To collaborate on academic programs through the exchange of residents, fellows and faculty"¢ To share strategies on clinical pathways for patients and cost effective measures for economic success of major orthopedic programs

Scientific and academic sessions at the ISOC meeting will highlight advanced clinical practice and innovative research from each participating institution with a specific focus on arthroplasty, bone tumor and basic research.

"As the host institution, HSS will provide a session on the operation and management of our hospital to provide an insight into some of the unique issues we face as a specialty hospital in New York City and the United States," said Dr. Sculco.

For more information about Hospital for Special Surgery, visit www.hss.edu.

About Hospital for Special SurgeryFounded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked as No. 2 in orthopedics, No. 3 in rheumatology and as among the best in geriatrics and neurology by U.S.News & World Report, and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In the 2006 edition of HealthGrades' Hospital Quality in America Study, HSS received five-star ratings for clinical excellence in its specialties. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at http://www.hss.edu.