AO CMF NA Newsletter June 2025

Welcome from Dr. Michael Grant

Dear AO North America CMF community,
Since the last issue of this newsletter, there have been a lot of exciting developments and events undertaken within AO CMF NA—both by the Community Development Committee and elsewhere within the organization. You’ll read about many of these below, including the recap of OneAO and the launch of the new AO North America strategic plan spanning 2025-2028.  

The launch of the Hot Topics in CMF Reconstruction course was another tremendous success. Held in New York, NY last month, the course brought together over 100 participants from all over the  globe. Read on for more details. Included below is also information about the upcoming Advanced Head and Neck Oncologic Reconstruction course happening in September—another standout course for 2025.

Please feel free to reach out to cmfnews@aona.org to share your ideas and comments about what to include in future newsletters.

Sincerely,

Michael Grant, MD, PhD, FACS

Reflecting on OneAO2025

From inspiring sessions to meaningful connections and energizing conversations, OneAO 2025 was a true celebration of surgical learning, leadership, and community.

All governance meetings were held in person, and several key events book-ended the annual meeting. The 2025 event included an inaugural AO CMF NA Think Tank, which brought together practicing surgeons from the Oral Maxillofacial, Otolaryngology, and Plastics/Reconstruction backgrounds to present real world cases to their peers over a two-day period. Challenging cases were presented based on topics provided by the Chairs.

By gathering in a room with no other distractions, the Think Tank offered something that embodies the AO spirit: a community of trusted colleagues and friends from across the specialties coming together to discuss, debate, and share ideas regarding treatment options for complex craniomaxillofacial injuries. Participants were interested in extending discussions into break time and frequently had questions for their peers before and after the sessions ended. Dr. Travis Tollefson, who acted as a Co-Chair for the CMF Think Tank, celebrated the outcome of the seminar saying, “We all benefit from sharing our toughest cases, seeking input and conveying our experiences.  In the end, this is a professional exchange that betters our patients and our trainees.  I am grateful to have been afforded this platform at OneAO.”

Another opportunity for knowledge exchange and learning from respected leaders was through the Sages on Stage session. This panel brought together AO's long-standing members and trailblazers who shaped the field across CMF, Spine, and Trauma. Representatives for CMF included Sal Lettieri, MD, FACS, George Kushner, DMD, MD, FACS, Michael Grant, MD, PhD, FACS, Warren Schubert, MD, FACS, and Brad Strong, MD, with moderator Waldemar Polido, DDS, MS, PhD. The panelists shared career informing insights from these long-time members, as well as the impact that AO membership has had on their professional trajectory.

Panelist Dr. Sal Lettieri shared, “I was certainly humbled to be invited to be on stage with such stalwarts of patient care and teaching. My own thought was to discuss the way that AO involvement has informed my career—I have learned so much from teaching and listening to lectures of others. My goal was also to imbue the importance of cross-divisional relationships.” Indeed, Dr. Lettieri and his fellow panelists illustrated the impact that AO membership has had on their professional trajectory.

The Educator of the Year Awards presented annually during OneAO recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing surgical and medical education. George Kushner, DMD, MD, FACS, a renowned craniomaxillofacial surgeon, received the Brian Alpert Educator of the Year Award. Read more details about each 2025 winner here.

Overall, there was great representation by AO CMF NA throughout this year’s meeting. Reflecting on this year’s event, Dr. Amy Kapatkin, Chair of AO NA Board of Directors, shared, “One AO 2025 had many memorable moments for me. The community of surgeons, from all clinical divisions, learning and socializing together is always my favorite aspect. Every year, I learn new nonclinical competencies that help me be a better colleague, leader, mentor, surgeon and person. One AO continues to evolve, and every year is better than the previous one.”

Recap: Hot Topics in CMF Reconstruction

In May 2025, AO CMF NA had great success with the Hot Topics in CMF Reconstruction course held at NYU Langone Health in New York City. Chaired and hosted by Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, MD, DDS, and a team of world-renowned surgeons, this 3-day course immersed participants into the latest reconstructive techniques through hands-on practical lab exercises, engaging lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. Over 100 participants from all over the globe had the opportunity to engage with expert surgeons while participating in hands-on ultrasound demonstrations, computer aided surgical planning session (Jaw in a Day) and learning about how VR/AR can help their practice.

Thank you to all who joined and made the course a success!

AO NA 2025-2028 Strategic Plan

AO North America (AO NA) is charting a bold path forward. Formalizing our commitment to  Shaping the Future of Surgery Together, our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is built on four pillars that reflect our community’s needs, professional growth, and the evolving demands of surgical education and training:  

Education, Research, Membership & Engagement, and Organizational Excellence.