The Florida Hip Symposium is an annual meeting of clinicians who treat hip disorders. We focus on a collaborative approach that integrates perspectives across healthcare for the benefit of our patients. From doctors and surgeons to physical therapists and athletic trainers, collaborative hip care begins with learning from one another.

We are extremely honored that you have joined us for this year's Florida Hip Symposium.

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The idea for this conference was more than a decade in the making. During my travels visiting many of the country's leading hip surgeons, I noticed that a handful consistently stood apart in the quality of care they delivered. While each had exceptional surgical skills, they also shared another important characteristic—a close, collaborative relationship between the physician and therapist(s).

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This close relationship allows the diagnostician and the biomechanical specialist to work together to identify and treat disorders unique to hip patients. Equally important, in this relationship the doctor and the physical therapist learn from one another. Physicians often see problems differently than therapists, and therapists bring a unique understanding of biomechanics, movement, and rehabilitation. The combination of these perspectives creates a patchwork of ideas that forms an exceptional foundation for the care of almost any hip disorder.

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When I joined Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute nearly a decade ago, I immediately began building that same collaborative relationship. We started meeting regularly to discuss interesting hip topics and difficult cases. As my practice grew, so did this relationship, ultimately becoming the "Hip Team" at Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute—now consisting of six dedicated physical therapists working closely with our physicians. I am convinced that together we provide unsurpassed care for patients with hip disorders throughout our region, from adolescents to older adults.

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When planning the first Florida Hip Symposium, I intentionally invited physicians and therapists who best exemplified this teamwork to serve as our guest speakers. My goal was to create an environment where ideas could flow freely between disciplines, allowing all of us to leave with a better understanding of hip disorders and improved strategies for treating our patients.

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As the symposium has continued to grow, so has our vision. This year marks an exciting milestone as the Florida Hip Symposium proudly partners with the Florida Hip Preservation Society to serve as its annual educational meeting. Together, we are building a collaborative community of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals who are committed to advancing hip preservation throughout Florida. While the symposium continues to welcome nationally recognized faculty, we are equally committed to showcasing the outstanding clinicians within our own state and strengthening the professional relationships that ultimately improve patient care.

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As Program Co-Chairs, it is our hope that you leave this symposium with new ideas, meaningful professional relationships, and practical knowledge that will make you a better clinician. 

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We sincerely hope the answer is yes. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you enjoy the meeting, the conversations, and the opportunity to learn from one another.

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Warm regards,

Carl Freeman, MD
Program Co-Chair

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Drew Heideman, MPT, ATC, Cert. DN, PES
Program Co-Chair