Membership Criteria

IPSG Membership Criteria

Who we are
Briefly stated, the International Patellofemoral Study Group is a group of physicians and scientists coming together for a common goal: to better understand the patellofemoral joint. Our mission statement is as follows: we endeavor to advance the understanding of patellofemoral joint in health and disease by meeting regularly to present and evaluate multidisciplinary scholarly research, to exchange current ideas, and to stimulate new ideas.

The group is composed primarily of orthopaedic surgeons, with some representation of engineers and physical therapists. The membership criteria do not exclude any specific group of paraprofessionals or other types of physicians within our group. Initially the impetus to create this group came from orthopaedic surgeons.

We typically meet every 12-18 months, trying to stagger meetings between the United States and overseas destinations. Past overseas meetings have been in Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, and South Africa. We also typically have an interim meeting at the annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting for those already attending this meeting.

Criteria and process for membership
The criteria for membership are:

Candidate must be out of residency or fellowship for a minimum of 5 years.
Candidate must have an expressed interest in the patellofemoral joint as demonstrated through a variety of ways, which could include teaching, publications, research, etc.
Candidate must be nominated by two active members of the patellofemoral study group. Our membership list is available on this website for your review.
Candidate must attend at least one annual meeting prior to being voted upon for full membership. If a candidate's application is complete before the first annual meeting that they attend, their application may be voted upon during the business meeting at the end of the first annual meeting that they attend.
Candidate must make a presentation on a topic of their choice at an annual meeting.

Candidate must be present at the meeting during which their application is acted upon.

Application process
Those interested in joining may be invited to attend one of our meetings, typically as a guest of the IPSG members who are your nominating sponsors. Guests, both local to the meeting venue and non-local potential members must be approved by the Program Committee for the upcoming meeting and would be expected to do a presentation of their work as it relates to the patellofemoral joint at the meeting.

A copy of your CV and a letter explaining the reasons for your interest in joining the IPSG must be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, Elizabeth A. Arendt, MD at arend001@tc.umn.edu prior to being considered for membership.

Criteria for continued membership
Criteria for continued membership are:

Attendance at least one meeting or interim meeting every three years. These meetings are typically paid for by the individual.
Presentation at the annual or interim meeting at least once every 4 years.
Continued participation in research or extramural teaching in the area of the PF joint.
Payment of annual dues.