AO Access to success

In this episode of AO Access to Success, Dr. Yeshaswini Thelekkat joins host Tatjana Topalovic to explore why nonclinical competencies communication, empathy, and presence are not soft skills, but the foundation of truly human medicine.

In this episode host Tatjana Topalovic is joined by Inger Schipper, trauma surgeon, educator, and influential leader within Dutch and international professional organizations, and multiple ethics and leadership committee to explore what leadership truly means in medicine and why role models matter more than ever in driving meaningful and sustainable change.

In this episode of AO Access to Success, Professor Amir Elbarbary explores how strategic communication and authentic role modeling can transform leadership and shift culture across global surgical communities.

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Sameh Abolfotouh to explore how his journey across continents, commitment to mentorship, and vision for inclusive leadership are shaping the next generation of orthopedic surgeons through service, collaboration, and opportunity.

In this episode of AO Access to Success, we sit down with Dr. Muhammad Wajid, Dr. Ambreen Farhan and Dr. Ayesha Saeed, to explore how one bold decision to challenge bias sparked a ripple effect, reshaping orthopedic culture through bold leadership, visible role modeling, and transformative mentorship.

What happens when leaders flip the switch from autopilot to intention? In this episode, Dr. Jeff Karp joins Dr Jess McCarthy, lead of the AO Access Officer and Faculty Selection Processes Task Force to explore how curiosity, inclusion, and cognitive diversity can reshape leadership in orthopedic surgery. Packed with practical tools and bold ideas—this is a must-listen for anyone ready to lead with...

AO Access member and CMF surgeon Dave Hamlar is joined by Dr. Lamont Jones to explore how keloid research can drive health equity. Together, they discuss the social and scientific intersections of a condition that disproportionately affects people of color, the importance of culturally responsive tools in clinical practice, and how inclusive research platforms like the Keloid Academy are transform...

In this episode, Dr. Dave Hamlar sits down with Dr. Geraldo Capuchinho, Dr. Rafael Cypriano, and Dr. Raphael Guerra to explore how mentorship, identity, and cross disciplinary collaboration are shaping more inclusive and purpose driven surgical teams, especially in the facial disciplines.

This podcast episode, hosted by AO Access member Waeel Hamouda with guests Charlotte Dandurand and Ulrich Spiegl, explores the socioeconomic and clinical considerations in surgical versus non-surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, emphasizing personalized care, patient quality of life, and global treatment variations while highlighting key research findings and best practices in spin...

Co-founder of the AO Spine Youth Club Franziska Altorfer discusses generational differences between younger healthcare professionals and the senior surgeon generation; exploring how these differences might influence the future of healthcare and how we can create more equal access to the field and the profession.

Thinking of developing and implementing a completely new and innovative initiative in your institution? Learn from two of the three AO Access task force leads Matthew Allen and Marinis Pirpiris and Tatjana Topalovic, managing the AO's first diversity, inclusion and mentorship initiatives, what works and what doesn't.

Delve into the clinical landscape, exploring gender-specific differences in health outcomes and treatment effectiveness with Rory Goodwin and Andrea Goodwin interviewed by AO Access Task Force member Waeel Hamouda.

Age-related biases persist, sometimes limiting opportunities and potential. Listen to Annika Hättich, chairwoman of the Young Forum Germany, and Lynette Spalding, AO Access Mentorship Task Force member explore how creating opportunities for open and respectful dialogue can close the potential age-bias.

The impact of the glaring underrepresentation of black people in medical illustrations and, by extension, medical education extends beyond the pages of textbooks or clinical journals, influencing patient experiences, outcomes, and the broader understanding of health inequities rooted in systemic racism. Listen to Chidiebere Ibe and AO Access Steering Committee member Amy Kapatkin discuss consequen...

Learn about disproportionate representation in orthopedic surgery with Dr. Ana Fer Antón, orthopedic surgeon, and creator of orthowomen, and Pedro Jorba, orthopedic surgeon and AO Access task force member.

Listen to best practices from a paired AO Access mentoring couple on how to build a successful mentoring relationship.

Hosts Marinis Pirpiris and Lynette Spalding from the AO Access Mentorship Task Force speak with AO president-elect Tim Pohlemann on inclusive leadership and mentorship. Don't miss Tim sharing open and honest reflections on being a leader.

Hosts Matthew Allen and Pedro Jorba speak with Claudia Arroyo about the future of science education and specifically, how using virtual reality in training could lead to a more inclusive environment.

The importance of partnerships: How to model change challenging the status quo: from pipeline programs to cultural differences to selection of leaders. 

Marinis Pirpiris and Lynette Spalding speak to internationally recognized spine surgeon, educator and researcher Prof. Jeff Wang about inclusion and transformative leadership.

How can you be a more inclusive leader; a better mentor and ally? Listen and learn with Brad Johnson and David Smith, authors of "Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women" and "Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace".

The AO Access Steering Committee - Robert McGuire, Amy Kapatkin , Jaime Quintero and Urs Rüetschi share the strategy of AO Access and the framework used to create culture change in AO.

Health disparities and more specifically gender inequity and racial inequities are rooted in the execution of medical care (operative and/or post-operative). Listen to Elizabeth Lord dispel the notion that achieving equity or eliminating disparities is solely in the interests of those who are on the losing end today.

Dr Erica Taylor, founder and CEO of the Orthopaedic Diversity Leadership Consortium (ODLC) discusses the need for creating strategies for sustainable change, leadership development and diversity & inclusion initiatives.

Learn from AO President Professor Florian Gebhard about the impact of AI and machine learning and how AI can help us understand unconscious biases to create an AO with equal opportunities for all our members to access upskilling and leadership opportunities.