AO North America Welcomes Mark Lee, MD as New President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AO North America
435 Devon Park Drive
Building 800, Suite 820
Wayne, PA 19087
Candy Tai
Director of Marketing, Engagement, and Communications
tai.candy@aona.org
484-609-6858
AO North America Welcomes Mark Lee, MD as New President
September 4, 2024 – (Wayne, Pennsylvania) — AO North America is proud to announce the appointment of Mark Lee, MD as its new President, effective August 24, 2024. Dr. Lee will lead the organization through June 30, 2026, bringing his exceptional expertise and visionary leadership to the forefront of orthopaedic education and research.
Dr. Lee is a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon specializing in trauma and post-trauma reconstructive surgery, with a particular focus on lower extremity trauma. As a Professor and Vice Chairman of Administration in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Dr. Lee oversees a national and regional referral practice for complex nonunions and malunions. He has been a longstanding member of the AO North America community, most recently serving as the elected AO Trauma North America representative on the AO North America Board.
“Dr. Lee is a highly regarded international leader in orthopaedic trauma. His ability to impart knowledge and his surgical prowess are superb. It is because of his leadership that UCD ortho trauma remains regarded as a global powerhouse,” said R. Lor Randall, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.O.A., Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC Davis School of Medicine.
Dr. Lee is at the cutting edge of orthopaedic innovation. His research has focused on bone regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells and the biomechanics of fracture healing. He has been an active member of several expert groups for the AO Technical Commission. His leadership in graduate medical education is well recognized; he is a former Chairman of the Education Advisory Board for AO North America and has served multiple terms on the AO Foundation Residents Task Force and the AO Trauma North America Education Committee. Additionally, Dr. Lee serves as the Chief of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service and Fellowship Director at UC Davis, underscoring his commitment to the advancement of orthopaedic education.
“Dr. Mark Lee is an innovative, dedicated, and inclusive leader. Mark has every quality to guide and transform AO NA for continued success in the future. More importantly, he is a warm, compassionate person who everyone loves to work with. AO NA is fortunate to have Mark in this role,” said Amy S. Kapatkin, DVM, MAS, DACVS, Chair, AO NA Board of Directors.
“I am deeply honored to assume the role of President of AO North America,” said Dr. Lee. “I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated members and partners to continue our mission of enhancing patient care through education, research, and community engagement. Together, we will strengthen our commitment to excellence and innovation in orthopaedics.”
As President, Dr. Lee will guide AO North America’s strategic initiatives, expanding its reach, enhancing its educational programs, and fostering greater collaboration within the global orthopaedic community. His tenure is expected to build on the strong foundation established by his predecessor, Dr. Milton “Chip” Routt, MD, who served as President from July 1, 2023 – August 24, 2024. The Board of Directors and members of AO North America extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Routt for his exemplary leadership and significant contributions to AO North America.
For more information about AO North America and its programs, please visit www.aona.org or contact Jennifer Wolff Jones, CAE, Executive Director, at jones.jennifer@aona.org or 484.609.0211.
About AO North America
About AO North America (AO NA) is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the care of patients with trauma and musculoskeletal disorders through excellence in education, optimized clinical treatment, and research innovation. Serving orthopaedic trauma, spine, craniomaxillofacial, and veterinary surgeons, AO NA provides comprehensive resources for continuing professional development and fosters a collaborative community of learners, educators, and clinicians.
As part of the international AO network, AO NA is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion among surgeons, healthcare professionals, and researchers. With a steadfast commitment to integrity, accountability, and best practices, AO NA continues to shape the future of orthopaedic surgery and clinical practice, driving global collaboration and improving patient outcomes through innovative educational programs and cutting-edge research.