Organizational structure
Learn more about the diversity, inclusion, and mentorship working group.
Steering Committee
AO Foundation Board representative
Robert McGuire
MD, AO Foundation Past-President
Diversity and inclusion representative
Amy Kapatkin
AO North America president
DVM, MS, DACVS
Professor of small animal orthopedic surgery, University of California-Davis
Mentorship representative
Jaime Quintero L.
MD, Profesor Asistente
Depto. de Ortopedia y Traumatología
Hospital Universitario Clínica San Rafael
Bogota, Colombia
AO Executive Committee representative
Urs Rüetschi
Executive Director Education Development
Manager
Tatjana Topalovic
Senior Program Manager Diversity, Inclusion and Mentorship
Task forces
Purpose
The faculty and leader development task force is about empowering innovative and inclusive faculty and leaders who value our global community and the diversity of our healthcare workers and patients.
Objectives
To identify, support, and develop healthcare professionals with diverse backgrounds and continue to build an organization that reflects our global community to best provide medical care and education to our patients. The AO Access faculty and leader development programs will identify, design and develop diverse, inclusive, and equitable global teams to make a positive impact on patient care throughout our global community. AO is the environment for healthcare professionals to gather and share their knowledge and inspire innovation and excellence in education to deliver evidence-based approaches for best patient care. We take pride in developing passionate and talented groups of diverse faculties and leaders from every background dedicated to providing the best care to our patients and community.
Task force lead
Samantha Morello
Associate professor of large animal surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Emmanuel Menga
AO Spine, North America
Hector Aguado Hernandez
AO Trauma, Europe
Nicola Anne Kildea
ORP, Asia Pacific
“The AO has a long-standing history of excellence in developing great faculty and leaders. As the lead for the Faculty and Leader Development Task Force for AO Access, our work will be to figure out how best to leverage our existing solid and proven infrastructure to help attract, include, and promote a more diverse membership.”
Samantha Morello,
Faculty and leader development task force lead
Purpose
For the membership, leadership, and culture of AO to reflect the diversity and aspirations of its membership and the needs of the patient population that we serve.
Objectives
To provide guidance and advice to the Clinical Divisions and Clinical Unit to implement a clearly defined, fair and transparent pathway and practices for officer and faculty recruitment and selection that are harmonized and implemented across AO, using best practices that promote inclusivity and ensure equal opportunity.
Task force lead
Matthew J Allen
VetMB, PhD, MRCVS
Professor of small animal surgery, University of Cambridge
Waeel Hamouda
AO Spine, Middle East
Pedro Jorba
AO Trauma, Latin America
Jess McCarthy
AO VET, North America
Lauren Tatman
AO Trauma, North America
“For the organization to leverage diversity and potential effectively, we need to ensure that the AO is seen as a community for lifelong learning, mentorship, and leadership. The Officer and Faculty Selection Task Force will identify challenges and obstacles to entry and progression for individuals who want to contribute to the work of the AO with the goal of creating transparency and equity for everyone who wants to participate.”
Matthew J Allen,
Officer and faculty selection processes task force lead
Purpose
Inspire and support the AO global community to collaboratively reach new heights (excellence) and fulfil personal and professional goals.
Objectives
Transform the lives of mentors and mentees through a global network that enables collaborative learning and facilitates personal and professional growth in an inclusive and sustainable way.
Task force lead
Marinis Pirpiris
Associate Professor, MBBS, BMedSci, GradDipEpidBiostat, MEpi, PhD, FRACS, FAOrthA
Claudia Medina
AO Trauma, Latin America
David Hamlar
AO CMF, North America
Saeed Qaimkhani
AO Spine, Middle East
Lynette Spalding
AO Trauma, Europe
“The AO Access initiative was developed to attract the very best clinicians to our increasingly global, diverse, and inclusive member-based organization. I look forward to embracing everyone's thoughts and ideas as we develop our mentorship program. AO mentors will encourage and support your personal and professional growth throughout your lifelong journey of learning, teaching, research, and leadership.”
Marinis Pirpiris,
Mentorship task force lead
Contact
If you have any questions, please e-mail the diversity, inclusion, and mentorship working group.