The AOA presents two annual Awards to renowned orthopaedic surgeon leaders for special recognition. These are presented at the AOA Annual Leadership Meeting.

Distinguished Clinician Educator Award

The AOA Distinguished Clinician Educator (DCE) Award recognizes an AOA member as an exceptional orthopaedic clinician educator. The award emphasizes the critical role that clinician educators play within academic health centers, where state-of-the-art educational programs demand faculty time devoted to training medical students, graduate students, residents and other health professionals. View the DCE Hall of Fame.

Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics Award

The AOA Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics (DCO) Award recognizes an AOA member’s personal achievement, commitment to excellence, meritorious leadership, and substantial contributions influencing the orthopaedic specialty. View the DCO Hall of Fame.

Nominate a Candidate

Nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics Award and the Distinguished Clinician Educator Award are being accepted through December 20, 2024.  Nominations are closed.

Submission Instructions

To submit, you’ll need:

  • Nominee Name
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Nominee CV

Criteria For Awards Selection

Criteria: Distinguished Clinician Educator Award

Distinguished Clinician Educator: Awardee Criteria

  • Received Teacher of the Year (or equivalent) from residency program, medical school, university or professional society
  • Held leadership positions in national and/or international organizations with a focus on education (including representing orthopaedics in organizations such as AAMC, AMA, RRC, COA, ORS, ABOS, AOA and AAOS)
  • Chaired educational committees at home institution or professional organization
  • Acted as a mentor to other orthopaedists locally or nationally and/or internationally
  • Has contributed to orthopaedic education nationally and/or internationally
  • Trainees (students, residents and fellows) in academics both nationally and internationally
  • Pursued further education training through courses, workshops, faculty development, or participated in an educational fellowship program
  • Achieved a sustained record of significant scholarly activity in education
  • Has authored original books, papers and chapters related to education
  • Record of sustained involvement in graduate medical education programs such as:
    • Program director
    • CORD leadership
    • ACGME
    • RRC
    • ABOS
    • AOA
    • AAOS

Criteria: Distinguished Contribution to Orthopaedics Award

Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics Award: Awardee Criteria

Achieved pre-eminence or noted as an authority in:

  • Clinical practice
  • Educating other orthopaedists
  • Orthopaedic research
  • Other meritorious service to the profession of orthopaedics
  • Contributions that have changed or influenced the art and science of orthopaedics
  • Lifetime contributions to the field of orthopaedics
  • Contributions to the international scope of orthopaedics
  • Contributions that extend beyond bench research