AAOS Leadership Response
AAOS President Bosco’s quick response indicates the Academy takes the vote of no confidence seriously.
Bosco acknowledges that recent events “have rightfully raised awareness of the chronic issues regarding race, specifically systemic inequality and health disparities, which continue to plague our society. As the voice of orthopaedics and orthopaedic surgeons, our Academy ought to be leaders in the fight for racial and healthcare equality. We cannot hope to achieve this, without the unified effort of all our allies – including your group.”
He said he has instructed A.J. Johnson, M.D., the chair of our Diversity Advisory Board (DAB) and Eric Carson, M.D., president of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society, to reach out to Concerned Faces and “begin discussion on how we can work together to accomplish our goal.”
He added that the DAB will report directly to the AAOS Board of Directors while also maintaining its role within the Membership Council. “In the upcoming weeks, we will share with you a draft detailing our action plan. You will find several of your suggestions already incorporated into this plan.”
Bosco concluded, “Organizational change, especially cultural change takes time. Thus, diversifying our organization will not happen as quickly as we would like. However, with your engagement, I am certain we can and will achieve our goal of an Academy that looks more like the members, volunteers, and patients it serves.”
What Is to Be Done?
To channel James Baldwin, the Concerned Faces have told AAOS leadership they cannot believe what has been said because they see what has been done.
We will report back soon on the make-up of Concerned Faces and what’s being done.
The AAOS recognizes proven leadership in this area with a Diversity Award. Perhaps the past winners could be actively recruited for a larger leadership role in the Academy to continue and expand their already demonstrated effective strategies.