Independent Surgeons
“AAOS has to represent all surgeons, some employed, some academic, but mostly these are private practitioners…boots on the ground. Really critical advocacy efforts for that population. Many are becoming employed and that trend will continue.”
“Our advocacy staff in D.C. are trying to keep the issues that are front and center for our private practice colleagues, whether its physician-owned hospitals or access to specialty care…we just passed a big sports measure that allows sports docs to go across state lines. (Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act)”
“The focus on private practitioners has not gone away. It’s a critical majority of our members.”
Dancing With Spine
“Is the Academy targeting spine?” we asked.
“We have had conversations with our colleagues at SRS, NASS, CSRS, etc.…it’s complicated because the spine groups are increasingly international and multi-disciplinary. Neurosurgeons and pain specialists are involved. We’d like to maintain that orthopedic core of those societies, but still understand they will be multi-disciplinary in terms of providing best patient care and represent interests of overall spine surgeons.”
“How do we align and support the various spine groups? Where is the value to them in involvement with the Academy?”
“We think the value remains in the quality and advocacy areas.”
Cultural Improvement
And finally, the culture and governance of the Academy’s Board and volunteer structure is going to evolve to become strategic, innovative and diverse, said Weber.
“Defining core values is of great interest to me. You lead into values from the top. I plan to lead in setting an appropriate tone and culture. The Board will define those core values over next few months and will use those to define how the Academy makes decisions, how we behave.”
“It’s not a shock to hear that the culture of orthopedics could use some improvement…talking primarily about gender.”
“I love my work, colleagues, caring for patients, but there’s some work that needs to be done given the disparity in gender (94% men); in terms of color and gender, we don’t reflect society.”
She said data clearly shows a connection with good outcomes.
“I can’t change the culture of the field, but I can change the culture of the leadership for my year in the Chair. We have to change our expectations of what is and what is not tolerated.”
“The younger generation is growing up in a different world. So, the organization risks becoming irrelevant if we can’t set a higher bar.”
“Teamwork is getting to be more important. If we want to be leaders of the team, we’re going to have to earn that.”
“We just keep moving upward, don’t we?”
It might be too early to call Weber a transformational leader, but she is the first AAOS President to give her inaugural speech in high heels.
