AAOS Career Podcast

This episode of the AAOS Career Podcast, hosted by Ellen Lutnick, MD, offers orthopaedic surgery residents a practical guide to navigating the fellowship application process, featuring perspectives from two experienced fellowship program leaders: Scott P. Steinmann, MD, FAAOS, Chair of the AAOS Board of Specialty Societies Fellowship Committee, and Roman M. Natoli, MD, PhD, FAAOS, Orthopaedic Trau...

This episode explores the art and responsibility of mentoring medical students in orthopaedic surgery, featuring guest Amiethab Aiyer, MD, FAAOS.  Dr. Aiyer, Division Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Deputy Editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and founder of the widely followed OrthoMento...

This episode examines the potential benefits and pitfalls of early subspecialization in orthopaedic residency training, featuring trauma surgeon and AAOS Now deputy editor Doug Lundy, MD, MBA, FAAOS, Deputy Editor of AAOS Now and Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Senior Vice President of Medical Services at St. Luke's University Health Network. Dr. Lundy joins host Ellen Lutnick, MD,...

In this episode of the AAOS Now Podcast, host Rex Lutz, DO, sits down with orthopaedic oncologist Odion Binitie, MD, FAAOS, to discuss a challenging yet inevitable part of transitioning from medical training into practice: breaking bad news to patients. Whether you are a resident, fellow, or attending surgeon, navigating difficult conversations requires a delicate balance of directness and deep em...

This episode, hosted by Rex Lutz, DO, is designed to help residents and fellows make the transition from training to practice. Guest Gregory Gilson, DO, FAAOS, discusses what it takes to become the leader of your own surgical and clinical teams. Drawing on his experiences as an adult reconstruction surgeon at St. Luke’s University Health Network, Dr. Gilson shares insights on how to establish a st...

This episode offers valuable insights into leadership development for orthopeadic surgery residents, exploring the parallels between military and medical hierarchies, strategies for effective leadership, and actionable tips for residents (and medical students) to distinguish themselves at every stage of their training. Drawing on extensive experience as both a military officer and a residency prog...

This episode explores the value and impact of humanitarian work in orthopaedics, with a focus on resource-limited settings and the importance of education and capacity building. Rex Lutz, DO, sits down with AAOS Humanitarian Award recipient Coleen Sabatini, MD, MPH, FAAOS, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, as she reflects on her journey from early public health ad...

This episode explores the AAOS Annual Meeting from the perspective of orthopedic Residents and Attendings, highlighting the academic and social experiences that make it the premier event of the year for musculoskeletal healthcare professionals.  Host Dr. Rex Lutz is joined by Dr. David Kantrowitz and Dr. Jaehon Kim, who share their memorable moments from past meetings — from presenting research to...

This episode introduces the AAOS LaunchPad program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at guiding orthopaedic residents as they transition into fellowship and early career practice. Host Dr. Rex Lutz is joined by Dr. Valerie Lewis, Chair of the AAOS Membership Council, and Dr. Max McQuaid, a hand surgery fellow and member of the inaugural LaunchPad cohort. Together, they discuss the personalized men...

This episode delves into the integral role of research in orthopedic residency and early career development. Dr. Dustin Greenhill, a nationally recognized pediatric orthopedic surgeon and active researcher at St. Luke’s University Health Network, discusses his unconventional path from West Point to medicine, and how hands-on research experiences shaped his focus within orthopedics. He shares insig...

This episode explores the meaning of leadership within orthopaedic surgery, offering invaluable insights from Dr. Stephen Gitelis, Rush Medical College Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Oncology and recipient of the 2025 William W. Tipton Jr. Leadership Award. Dr. Gitelis reflects on his five-decade career at Rush, where he launched and grew one of the largest sarcoma programs in the region, and sh...

This episode dives into the job-hunting process using the brand-new orthopaedic job exploration platform, ACCELERATE by AAOS. MedGeo Executive Vice President Jarod Collins explains how the interactive, map-based platform helps connect AAOS members with over 13,500 employers across the country in one easy to use tool. The conversation covers key factors to consider when choosing a job, the importan...

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently went through a comprehensive multi-year process to re-imagine its core focus and aspirational state to be the trusted leaders in advancing musculoskeletal health. Members of the AAOS Presidential Line provide behind-the-scenes perspective that explores the need for change, and how these changes provide a foundation for greater collaborat...

Healthcare executive Paul Bruning discusses the recent ban on noncompete agreements and what the historic rule means for the future of musculoskeletal care. He talks about the reasoning behind the restrictive clauses and unlocked opportunities for innovation and industry competition. Host: Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly  Guest: Paul Bruning, Service Line Director, Sutter Health...

This episode features a provocative discussion about diversity in medicine and the importance of cross collaboration between public and private practice. Microbiologist and FDA leader RDML Raquel Peat shares lessons on transformational leadership and why diversity in thought, background, training, geography, and research are critical to improving public health and advancing the field of orthopaedi...

Partnerships between orthopaedic surgeons and industry can have educational value and lead to improvements in patient care. Sometimes, however, the line between supportive funds and funds to promote a particular product can be blurred. This episode dives into considerations for ensuring these relationships provide value, benefit the patient, and comply with applicable laws. Related episode, Episod...

In this episode, recorded live at the AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting, public speaking and media performance consultant, Kathryn Janicek, explains how surgeons’ executive presence is critical to inspiring confidence and trust in the field. The three-time Emmy Award-winning TV executive offers practical guidance for leveraging your expertise to promote your personal brand and your practice. Guest: Kathryn...

New host Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, sits down with outgoing AAOS Membership Council chair and repeat podcast guest Elizabeth Matzkin, MD, FAAOS, for this in-person interview recorded at the AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting. Through sharing her personal story in sports medicine, Dr. Matzkin explains the importance of finding passion within your specialty, whether it's research, a surgical technique or an area out...

In his final episode as host of the AAOS Career Podcast, Dr. Daniel Cognetti introduces the new host and Chair of the AAOS Resident Assembly Dr. Mikalyn DeFoor. Together they talk about exciting initiatives coming to the Resident Assembly and events for residents at the upcoming AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting. Resident programs at the meeting: https://www.aaos.org/annual/education/resident-focused-progr...

In this episode, two former co-residents discuss the challenges that come with being pregnant and having young children during training. From performing surgery heavily pregnant and taking maternity leave, to learning to breastfeed and balance motherhood with the demands of the job, Dr. Dawn Rask shares tips for success in parenthood for orthopaedic surgeon listeners. Guest: Dawn M. G. Rask, MD, C...

This episode covers aspects of marketing and growing a practice, specifically a surgeon’s online reputation. Whether you are a new surgeon, in the middle of your career, or even well established and have neglected your online profile and reputation, fear not. There are many new and easy ways to build a positive online reputation, attract new patients and respond to negative online reviews. Guest: ...

In this episode, we explore non-traditional practice models for orthopaedic surgeons—from locums and health maintenance organizations to ambulatory surgery centers and even the military. With healthcare consolidation on the rise and decreasing physician autonomy, we delve into what makes these practice settings attractive and how to make them successful.   Guest: Tamara Huff, MD, MBA, FAAOS, CEO,...

The AAOS Coding Community is your go-to resource for everything Practice Management and Coding & Reimbursement at AAOS. Part two of this podcast will continue to cover the general principles of coding, update members on new rules and developments, and review some of the top coding mistakes.  To sign up for an upcoming virtual Practice Management course, featuring a session on Coding Tips with Shan...

The AAOS Coding Community is your go-to resource for everything Practice Management and Coding & Reimbursement at AAOS. This two-part series will cover the general principles of coding, update members on new rules and developments, and review some of the top coding mistakes. Stay tuned for Episode 2 which will air next week.  To sign up for an upcoming virtual Practice Management course, featuring...

This episode, which was recorded in-person at the 2023 AAOS Annual Meeting, delves into the ways orthopaedic surgeons can leverage social media to build their practices and personal brand. Social media guru and AAOS social media ambassador Dr. Cory Calendine offers guidance for using the platforms for both patient education and professional engagement, despite ongoing challenges surrounding limite...