The Tennessee Orthopaedic Society (TOS) held its first annual meeting in six years on November 14–15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. The meeting brought together more than 50 orthopaedic surgeons, residents, and healthcare executives from across the state. The two-day event featured legislative updates, administrative and practice management discussions, clinical education sessions, and resident research abstracts.
The meeting opened with a keynote address by Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, who provided an overview of the state’s fiscal condition and highlighted key healthcare issues anticipated in the upcoming legislative session. A major focus of Johnson’s remarks was Governor Bill Lee’s rural health initiative, set to be introduced in the next session. Attendees also discussed challenges related to payer downcoding and its impact on physician practices.
TOS President Tyler Brolin, MD, moderated a panel discussion with four orthopaedic practice CEOs. The panel explored the financial effects of downcoding, expansion of new revenue streams such as ambulatory surgery centers, strategies for employee retention, and emerging priorities for orthopaedic practices.
Educational sessions addressed both clinical and administrative topics. Saumya Aujla, MD, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, delivered a presentation on opioid education to support responsible prescribing and patient safety. Adam Bruggeman, MD, of Texas Spine Care Center and Advocacy Council Chair for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), presented national reimbursement data and encouraged TOS members to engage in state and national advocacy efforts.
Additional presentations included an update from Bob Snyder, MD, Medical Director for the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, on integrating workers’ compensation into orthopaedic practices and guidance for navigating the system effectively. Brian Cunningham, MD, of HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, previewed the upcoming TEAMs model, a mandatory, episode-based alternative payment model, and outlined potential impacts and opportunities for orthopaedic surgeons participating alongside hospitals.
Legal considerations were addressed by Steve Dickens, JD, of SVMIC, who reviewed the anatomy of a malpractice lawsuit and provided practical guidance for physicians facing litigation. The meeting concluded with a series of “quick hit” clinical sessions covering topics relevant to everyday orthopaedic practice, including a presentation by Raymond Gardocki, MD, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The 2025 Tennessee Orthopaedic Society’s Annual Meeting marked a significant milestone for the organization, reestablishing an important forum for collaboration, education, and advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons across Tennessee.