The Iowa Orthopaedic Society was organized in 1939 with nine members. The society was formed to advance orthopaedic surgery in the state. Active membership is limited to those physicians who had passed both Part I and Part II of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons exam and the osteopaths who are certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic surgery. Today, the society has approximately 165 members. The current purpose is to network physicians within the state, to promote educational programs, to keep a "thumb on the pulse" of third-party reimbursement, and to be proactive in the legislative arena. Meetings are held in the Spring and Fall and are usually held in conjunction with the Iowa Medical Society and the Department of Orthopaedics, University of Iowa.