AOAO members are encouraged to nominate another member, or self-nominate, for these new awards.
Access to the award forms is member protected. Click here if you forgot your log in.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader recipient will be selected by the AOAO Foundation Board based on AOAO membership in good standing, community service and hospital and/or community leadership.
The award is presented at the Annual Fall Meeting during the AOAO Awards Ceremony. The recipient must be present to receive the award. Included with the award will be complimentary meeting registration, recognition in The Orthopod Newsletter and a plaque.
Nominations Open: March 2, 2026
Nominations Close: May 11, 2026
Recipient Notified by June 5, 2026
Outstanding Resident Paper Award
The Outstanding Resident Paper Award recipient will be selected from the abstracts submitted for the AOAO Annual Meeting. The resident receiving the overall highest score will be selected based on the scoring of the Residents and Fellows Committee. The recipient will receive a plaque, recognition at the Annual Meeting and a monetary award of $500. The recipient is notified early August.
Recipient will be notified by June 19, 2026.
Past Foundation Award Recipients
Emerging Leader Award
- 2026 Michael Saper, DO, FAOAO
- 2024 Joshua A. Tuck, DO, FAOAO
- 2023 Timothy Beals, DO
- 2022 Meagan Fernandez, DO, FAOAO
- 2021 James Nace, DO, FAOAO
- 2020 Sean McMillan, DO, FAOAO
- 2019 Katherine Sage, DO, FAOAO
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award
- 2025 Amanda Martin, DO, FAOAO
- 2023 Olivia E. Morris, DO, FAOAO
Outstanding Resident Paper Award
- 2025 Adam LaFleur, DO – Riverside University Health System
- 2024 Landon Reading, DO – Cleveland Clinic
- 2023 Adrian Olson, DO – St. John Providence Health System
- 2022 Elizabeth Ford, DO – Rowan/Inspira Health Residency Program
- 2021 Loren C. Tholcke, DO – Riverside County Regional Medical Center
- 2020 Nicholas Frane, DO – Plainview Hospital
Outstanding Student Scholarship
- 2025 Elizabeth Chan
- 2024 Cesar A. Ramirez
- 2023 Zachary Thier
- 2022 Emily Kelly
- 2021 Tyler Hunt
- 2020 Andrew Ardeljan
- 2019 Michael Schloss