[1][2] It is the oldest and largest medical specialty society in the United States devoted to the care of the hand.
Sterling Bunnell, MD, founder and first president of the ASSH, set up nine regional hand centers at U.S. Army bases throughout the United States during the 1940s.
As World War II drew to a close, Bunnell suggested forming an organization to continue to foster interest in hand care.
Candidate members are qualified surgeons working in the United States who are interested in hand surgery and may eventually apply for full membership.
International members are qualified hand surgeons practicing medicine outside of the United States.