Dear EPOS Members, 

I would like to express my gratitude for the trust and support that you have placed in me by electing me as the 30th president of EPOS. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the president of one of the largest and most influential international pediatric orthopedic societies.

I am pleased to inform you that the 41st Annual Meeting of EPOS held with more than 800 registered participants in Krakow was a great success both scientifically and socially. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the organization of this successful event.

As a long-standing member of EPOS, I have carried out various missions in several EPOS committees and I am enthusiastic about leading this esteemed organization. I am confident in my ability to discharge my duties and responsibilities as your president.

Education is a transformative intervention, and as such, we will continue to offer our BAT trilogy, advanced courses, and webinars, which have increased the visibility of EPOS worldwide. RCC courses, both inside and outside the EPOS territory, will also continue. We plan to collaborate with national societies to organize courses, particularly on specific topics, to provide our colleagues with opportunities to attend advanced EPOS courses from the comfort of their homes. We will improve our recent and significant EPOS Clinical Fellowship Program (FEPOS), continue our traveling fellowship programs with sister societies, and offer grants for scientific research as well as for young colleagues to attend the EPOS activities. Additionally, we plan to develop evidence-based EPOS guidelines on the management of some common disorders.

We plan to publish textbook entitled “EPOS Handbook of Pediatric Trauma”. We encourage our members to submit their manuscripts to the official journal of EPOS: The Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. We have several activities planned for the EPOS website, including an online library with peer-reviewed recorded lectures and operative techniques, podcasts, and information for parents. Finally, we look forward to the combined EPOS and POSNA meeting (EPOSNA 2024), and we will work together with our POSNA colleagues to provide an outstanding scientific program.

We are committed to strong teamwork, and we believe that all members of the EPOS team are highly capable of performing their significant roles. Your support, guidance, and feedback are crucial in improving the quality of our services, and we welcome your input at any time.

I wish to acknowledge the term of our 29th president, Prof. Ignacio Sanpera, whose leadership of the organization was steady, assured, and pragmatic. His vision for innovation, such as setting up the FEPOS program, has been immensely beneficial, and we will strive to continue his legacy. Stability, continuity, respect, friendship, and the wellness of children can be considered the five essential factors keeping EPOS members motivated to improve our beloved society. 

I would like to thank you once again for your trust and support. I will do my utmost to meet and exceed your expectations.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Hakan Ömeroğlu
EPOS President (2023-2024)