The Student AOAO group began in 2006 and stems from the vision of a student run organization under the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO, Academy).
The field of orthopedics is a specialty that is growing in importance and popularity. The founders of the student AOAO believe that students interested in the specialty of orthopedic surgery can contribute to growth and success of AOAO. The Academy itself was formed in 1941, receiving its official recognition by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in 1950.
This idea is not novel. For example, in 1989 students banded together to initiate a surgical society known as SOSA. That club grew substantially and today students in osteopathic schools across the country pool their knowledge to hold conferences, gain experience in and obtain a residency in the demanding field of surgery.
Nearing the end of the Bone and Joint Decade of 2000 – 2010, we are persistently working to bridge the gap between orthopedic physicians and student physicians in order to become a more significant driving force in the field of orthopedics. Our goal is to enable every osteopathic school to join this mission. In the near future we would like to match the driving force of any well recognized student organization and hope to hold student run orthopedic conferences, but first we need you. The Academy’s President Joel L. Rush, DO stated “. . . become involved; all of us can make a difference if we care.” |
