Leadership and Academic Services

The AOA's dedication to the specialty and its members continues by equipping orthopaedic surgeons with knowledge and skills necessary to lead effectively in the ever-changing landscape of the the healthcare environment.  Unlike other orthopaedic organizations that focus primarily on continuing medical education, advocacy and clinical/subspecialty issues, the AOA focuses on leadership issues associated with the specialty via its diverse constituency of orthopaedic leaders.  This single themed focus materializes in the form of:

Leadership and Educational Programs:  In addition to the Annual Meeting, the AOA has developed leadership and educational programs for orthopaedic surgeons in all phases of their careers.

• AOA-OREF-Zimmer Resident Leadership Forum (RLF)
  The Forum seeks to identify residents - the future leaders of orthopaedics, and to offer them an opportunity to interact with and learn from current orthopaedic leaders, while developing their personal leadership skills.

• Emerging Leaders Program & Forum
  The Emerging Leaders Program and Forum introduce orthopaedists who are poised to make an impact on the specialty to AOA members and encourages them to further develop their leadership skills.

• AOA~Kellogg Leadership Series
  In 2003, the AOA launched the AOA~Kellogg Leadership Series, an intense three-module series that teaches orthopaedists to think and act productively inside and outside the practice setting.  In 2007, the Series was expanded to include three additional Modules focused on executive management skills.  The Series discusses opportunities for leadership and management as it relates to business issues, community involvement, advisory appointments and governance affairs. 

Academic Services: 
With the incorporation of the Academic Orthopaedic Society into the AOA came an even greater critical mass of leaders whose profession focuses on academic medicine and thus, the AOA intensified its focus on academic topics.  The AOA's academic offerings have been further expanded to meet the needs of the academic audience, particularly in the areas of graduate and medical education, faculty development and department administration and management, making it the home of current and aspiring orthopaedic department chairs and program directors. 

The AOA's papers on the practice of academic medicine and discussion forums on academic-specific topics play a large role in shaping how the specialty confronts its challenges.  The AOA also regularly explores new topics and educational tools to support academic faculty.