The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons was created to:
- Furnish leadership, foster advances, and enhance the study of shoulder and elbow surgery;
- Hold meetings that will serve as a forum where persons involved in this field of medicine can meet, discuss new ideas, and present scientific material;
- Serve as an educational body responsible for development of scientific programs, for organization of current knowledge, for standardization of nomenclature, and for publication of scientific materials;
- Act as a stimulant to research by providing a forum for presentation of new scientific advances and offering awards for special achievement;
- Afford a point of origin for individuals interested in pursuing this specialty as a part of their medical career and will develop post-graduate training opportunities; and
- Recognize those who have contributed to surgery of the shoulder and elbow by extending to them membership in the society.
Dr. Neer founded and became the first President of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons in 1982. He is also the Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons held their inaugural meeting in November of 1982.