January 2025 Board Summary
Board of Directors – Meeting Summary
25 January 2025
Video Conference
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, the AO NA Board of Directors shares key takeaways from each meeting. Our goal is to keep you informed about the issues we’re addressing, the decisions we’re making, and the progress we’re achieving.
By sharing this information, we aim to strengthen our connection with you and ensure our priorities align with member needs. We also welcome your input—let us know how we’re doing and what issues matter most to you. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping our direction. Please share your thoughts with us at AONABoard@aona.org.
1. Welcome New AO NA Board Members
The Board welcomed Dr. Timothy Achor, AO Trauma NA Representative, and Dr. José García-López, AO VET NA Representative, to the AO NA Board of Directors. Both introduced themselves and provided an overview of their backgrounds.
2. Vision & Expectations for the New Year
Dr. Kapatkin, Chair of the AO NA Board of Directors, outlined key priorities for the year, including approving the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, selecting an association management system, advancing educational delivery models, completing the AO Center in North America feasibility study, enhancing leadership engagement, and fostering more strategic Board discussions.
3. Approval of the AO NA, Inc. 1 – 2 November 2024 Meeting Minutes
The Board approved the minutes summarizing its November 2024 meeting for AO NA, Inc.
4. Consent Agenda for the AO NA Charitable Fund
The Board approved the documents within the Consent Agenda, which included:
· Accepting the 1 – 2 November 2024 meeting minutes of the AO NA Charitable Fund;
· Adopting the revised Education Advisory Board Charter;
· Adopting the revised Education Advisory Board Chair Position Description;
· Adopting the revised Signatory and Disbursement Policy; and
· Approving, in concept, the draft Memo of Understanding with the AO Foundation and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
5. Information Technology – Association Management Platform
The Board continued discussing AO NA’s information technology needs, evaluating potential association management platforms to replace MiCME. The goal is to enhance the member experience and streamline operations. After staff narrowed platform and vendor options in the fall, the Board participated in two system demonstrations, focusing on key functionalities such as faculty invitations, conflict of interest management, reimbursement submission, and course registration.
Following the platform presentations, the Board opted to gather additional information before selecting a platform. A follow-up meeting will occur to continue the discussion.
6. AO NA Awards Committee
The Board approved the proposed candidates endorsed by their respective clinical divisions to serve on the inaugural AO NA Awards Committee.
7. Committee Honoraria
The Board revisited its November discussion on the unauthorized and inconsistently implemented staff-initiated committee honoraria program for meeting participation. Noting that the Executive Council's review of the program aligned with the Board’s assessment, the Board unanimously agreed to discontinue the program immediately. The Board also approved the Presidential Line’s draft letter to committee members explaining the decision.
Note: This decision applies specifically to committee meeting participation and does not impact faculty honoraria.
8. Governance
A. Member-at-Large Representative on the AO NA Board of Directors
The Board reappointed Michael Suk, MD, JD, MBA, MPH as the AO NA Member-at-Large on the AO NA Board of Directors. His term will commence on 1 April 2025 and conclude on 31 December 2029.
B. AO NA President’s Participation in the AO Trustees
The Board formally will ask the AO Foundation to reinstate the AO NA President as a member of the AO Trustees.
9. AO Foundation Update
Claas Albers, AO F’s new CEO and Vice Chair, provided an update on key initiatives, including the finalization of AO F’s 2024 financials, the selection of two potential industry partners for AO VET starting in 2026, changes in AO membership, and efforts to secure partnerships with national societies. He also reported on developments within Rimasys, progress on the AO Campus, the “Better Digital Capabilities” program launch as part of AO DF’s digital transformation, and the anticipated timeline for signing the amended Collaboration Agreement with Johnson & Johnson.
10. Meeting Evaluation
Board members were asked to complete a meeting evaluation to support ongoing improvements in its meeting effectiveness.
11. Open Forum
The topics discussed included:
· Gratitude for the opportunity to engage and contribute.
· Encouragement to register for OneAO.
· Appreciation for the information technology platform demonstrations.
· A reminder to send questions to staff regarding the information technology platforms.
· Questions about the Get AHEAD initiative and the potential development of an AO Center in North America.