From the President and CEO:
Knowledge in motion—from evidence to global impact
In 2025, the AO demonstrated that mobilizing knowledge delivers real patient impact. The year was marked
by translating evidence into practice, ideas into solutions, and collaboration into results across research,
innovation, education, and our global community.
The AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) collectively published 114 peer-reviewed papers and 139 abstracts, and ARI researchers once again ranked among the top 2% of most-cited scientists worldwide. This scientific strength was on display at the AO Orthopaedic Research Summit, where over 860 researchers from 50+ countries gathered.
The AO’s clinical research area, anchored in the AO Innovation Translation Center (AO ITC), continued to expand the AO’s evidence base in 2025, contributing 102 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 98 peer-reviewed abstracts, and strengthening specialty-driven research through the AO Spine Knowledge Forums, which grew to 286 expert members. Concurrently, the AO ITC’s innovation and translation portfolio advanced at a significant scale, with 74 active development projects, 9 AO Technical Commission approved solutions, concluding 9 Innovation Funding projects, engaging 151 expert surgeon members across more than 30 expert groups, and reviewing 106 proposals, collectively moving new solutions toward clinical application.
Education design and research expertise advanced across the AO Education Institute (AO EI). The AO EI authored 12 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 13 abstracts, maintained 37 global curricula, and developed new programs. Through the production of 413 educational videos and other digital learning assets, the implementation of simulation-based education, and the training of 525 new faculty members, the AO EI translated emerging evidence into high-quality, practice-oriented education delivered worldwide.
Together, these efforts to propel adoption in clinical practice were bolstered by the AO’s Knowledge Translation (KT) initiative, which is designed to accelerate the transfer of evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice to improve patient care. In 2025, KT best practices were embedded across research, education, community development, and regional activities, strengthening the pathway from knowledge generation to clinical adoption.
The AO’s global educational impact continued to grow, with the number of course participants rising from 65,000 to 80,000 worldwide across 999 events. For the first time in many decades, the AO Davos Courses 2025 were fully subscribed, delivering 23 onsite courses with international participation. The Global Spine Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, drew over 2,200 professionals from 80+ countries, making it the largest and most diverse edition yet.
Strengthened cooperation with the Canton of Graubünden resulted in increased public funding and a renewed mandate for the ARI, while the AO ITC started a research project with the European Space Agency, highlighting the AO’s growing expertise. The year also saw transition and growth: The AO Presidency changed hands, and AO Sports gained clinical specialty status. The 2025 groundbreaking of the AO Campus and its Science Circle facility further reinforced the AO’s long-term investment in research, innovation, and education in Davos. In parallel, the AO was recognized as a Great Place to Work by an external assessment, reflecting our ongoing commitment to organizational culture and a positive work environment.
Collectively, these achievements show an organization in motion—grounded in evidence, strengthened by collaboration, and focused on impact. The AO remains committed to advancing musculoskeletal care worldwide, connecting its community, and ensuring knowledge moves from discovery to better patient outcomes.
Mark D Markel
AO President
Claas Albers
CEO & Vice-Chair
An integrated system for impact
The AO advanced knowledge across its value chain in 2025, moving from research and innovation to education and adoption in clinical practice.The AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) collectively published 114 peer-reviewed papers and 139 abstracts, and ARI researchers once again ranked among the top 2% of most-cited scientists worldwide. This scientific strength was on display at the AO Orthopaedic Research Summit, where over 860 researchers from 50+ countries gathered.
The AO’s clinical research area, anchored in the AO Innovation Translation Center (AO ITC), continued to expand the AO’s evidence base in 2025, contributing 102 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 98 peer-reviewed abstracts, and strengthening specialty-driven research through the AO Spine Knowledge Forums, which grew to 286 expert members. Concurrently, the AO ITC’s innovation and translation portfolio advanced at a significant scale, with 74 active development projects, 9 AO Technical Commission approved solutions, concluding 9 Innovation Funding projects, engaging 151 expert surgeon members across more than 30 expert groups, and reviewing 106 proposals, collectively moving new solutions toward clinical application.
Education design and research expertise advanced across the AO Education Institute (AO EI). The AO EI authored 12 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 13 abstracts, maintained 37 global curricula, and developed new programs. Through the production of 413 educational videos and other digital learning assets, the implementation of simulation-based education, and the training of 525 new faculty members, the AO EI translated emerging evidence into high-quality, practice-oriented education delivered worldwide.
Together, these efforts to propel adoption in clinical practice were bolstered by the AO’s Knowledge Translation (KT) initiative, which is designed to accelerate the transfer of evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice to improve patient care. In 2025, KT best practices were embedded across research, education, community development, and regional activities, strengthening the pathway from knowledge generation to clinical adoption.
Connecting the AO’s global community
AO NextGen was conceived to attract young surgeons, empowering emerging leaders in order to strengthen the AO’s global talent pipeline and create clearer entry points for early-career engagement and future leadership development across the organization. These initiatives aim to foster inclusion, mentorship, and professional growth across regions and career stages. AO Access has expanded structured mentorship, supported diversity and representation, and lowered barriers to engagement across our community, ensuring that talent and potential are recognized regardless of geography or background. The launch of AO NextGen and the latest version of myAO in late 2025—designed to enhance connectivity, access to resources, and knowledge sharing—reinforced the AO’s commitment to being a lifelong professional home, supported by a combination of digital tools and in-person engagement.The AO’s global educational impact continued to grow, with the number of course participants rising from 65,000 to 80,000 worldwide across 999 events. For the first time in many decades, the AO Davos Courses 2025 were fully subscribed, delivering 23 onsite courses with international participation. The Global Spine Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, drew over 2,200 professionals from 80+ countries, making it the largest and most diverse edition yet.
Partnerships and forward momentum
The signing of a new cooperation agreement with DePuy Synthes renewed our long-standing relationship, providing strategic stability and supporting the AO’s independence and ability to deliver global impact. Collaborations with professional societies, such as the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association, further expanded AO’s reach and relevance worldwide.Strengthened cooperation with the Canton of Graubünden resulted in increased public funding and a renewed mandate for the ARI, while the AO ITC started a research project with the European Space Agency, highlighting the AO’s growing expertise. The year also saw transition and growth: The AO Presidency changed hands, and AO Sports gained clinical specialty status. The 2025 groundbreaking of the AO Campus and its Science Circle facility further reinforced the AO’s long-term investment in research, innovation, and education in Davos. In parallel, the AO was recognized as a Great Place to Work by an external assessment, reflecting our ongoing commitment to organizational culture and a positive work environment.
Collectively, these achievements show an organization in motion—grounded in evidence, strengthened by collaboration, and focused on impact. The AO remains committed to advancing musculoskeletal care worldwide, connecting its community, and ensuring knowledge moves from discovery to better patient outcomes.
Mark D Markel
AO President
Claas Albers
CEO & Vice-Chair