April 2025 Board Summary

Board of Directors – Meeting Summary

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

OneAO 2025, Henderson, NV

 

 

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 AO NA Member-at-Large and AO NA Staff

Dr. Kapatkin, AO NA Chair, welcomed back Dr. Michael Suk to the AO NA Board of Directors as its Member-at-Large. Dr. Kapatkin also introduced Sheila Watts as AO NA’s new director of governance and special programs.

 

2.     Approval of the January 2025 Meeting Minutes
The Board approved the minutes summarizing its January 25, 2025 meeting for AO NA, Inc.

 

3.     Information Technology – Cybersecurity and AMS System

Ms. Richards, AO NA Vice President of Finance & Operations, shared the results of an IT security assessment. Based on the evaluation, AO NA invested in staff training and is creating policies, procedures, and ongoing training initiatives to enhance IT security.

 

The Board continued discussing AO NA’s information technology needs. The central topics were financial considerations, integration plans, and global alignment. The Board agreed that no final decision would be made until complete cost estimates and project details were provided and reviewed. 

 

4.     AO NA Strategic Plan

The Board accepted AO NA’s 2025 – 2028 Strategic Plan as written and presented.

 

5.     Feasibility Study Responses - AO Center in North America

In November 2024, the Board motioned to develop a Request for Proposal (RfP) for the creation of an AO campus in North America to serve as its learning and business headquarters.  The Board discussed the responses to the RfP, recognized that an AO campus in North America was not feasible, and determined it would continue to research alternative solutions to improve the learners’ experience.

 

6.     Rimasys Proposal – Orthopaedic Community

Ms. Stadthalter, CEO of Rimasys, delivered a presentation about a new digital community platform tool Rimasys is developing. The platform would assist surgeons in optimizing their time to address the ad-hoc and structured triggers they experience in their daily routine through the curation of educational videos and a community platform to support lifelong learning. Ms. Stadthalter reviewed the vision, strategy, and timeline for this learning ecosystem platform.

 

7.     Podiatry as a Specialty

Dr. Lee, AO NA President, shared that he established a DPM Curriculum Task Force to develop a structured, high-quality educational curriculum grounded in AO Principles and aligned with podiatric surgeons' unique training pathways and surgical scope. He reported that Dr. Chad Coles, Chair of the TNA Education Committee, will serve as the task force chair and that its first formal meeting will occur on April 25, 2025. The Board also discussed DPMs’ evolving and growing role in healthcare, AO NA’s response, and its DPM education plans for 2026.  The Board discussed the possibility of distinct roles for Principles vs. professional/technical training in the future.

 

8.     Johnson & Johnson Update

Mr. Boston, Worldwide President of Trauma, Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial, Animal Health, and Sports Medicine at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, provided updates on the company’s organizational structure, strategic framework and focus, and business highlights. He also introduced Aaron Villaruz, Vice President of Johnson & Johnson MedTech Education, who will serve as an additional liaison to AO NA.

 

9.     AO Update

Prof. Pohlemann, AO President, provided updates on AO’s new Science Circle, memos of understanding with other medical societies, and continued success with the Davos Courses.  He also stated that AO would strengthen its commitment to research across the regions above prior budgeted constrained levels and emphasized the importance of the regions and the need to preserve their unique identities.

 

Mr. Albers, AO CEO and Vice-Chair, expressed appreciation for AO NA and outlined his five strategic priorities for AO’s success: implementing a new business model while reinforcing the AO mission, advancing technology and digitalization, shaping the future of work, enhancing industry partnerships, and strengthening the AO Community.

 

The Board acknowledged that this would be Prof. Pohlemann’s last AO NA board meeting and thanked him for his leadership and contributions as AO President.

 

10.  Executive Director Update

Ms. Jones, AO NA Executive Director, summarized AO NA’s 2024 focus areas, noting strong performance in maintaining high course fill rates, increasing engagement among residents and fellows, expanding outreach to medical centers, and assessing IT improvements. She also described increased efforts to grow AO NA’s social media presence and outreach to other medical societies and announced the implementation of a membership survey within North America.

 

11.  Consent Agenda for AO NA Charitable Fund

The Board approved the submissions within the Consent Agenda, which included:

·       Accepting the January 25, 2025 meeting minutes for AO NA Charitable Fund; and

·       Approving the revision to the Education Advisory Board Charter.

 

12.  Governance

A.    Extend Terms for Chair and President

To support AO NA’s continued growth and provide continuity during a period of transition, the Board approved a one-year extension for Dr. Amy Kapatkin, AO NA Chair, and Dr. Mark Lee, AO NA President. Their terms will now conclude on June 30, 2027, ensuring stable leadership, preserving institutional knowledge, and sustaining organizational momentum.

 

 

B.     Audit Committee Chair Selection

The Board reappointed Dr. Michael Suk as Chair of the Audit Committee, effective immediately. 

 

C.     AO Trustee Request

The Board continued its January discussion regarding the importance of complementing AO NA’s delegation to the AO Trustees with holistic regional representation. The Board agreed that the AO NA President should serve as part of the delegation and approved appointing the AO NA President as a standing regional AO Trustee, beginning with the next available opportunity to fill an AO NA delegate position.

 

D.    AO CMF NA Terms of Reference 

Dr. Herford, CMF Representative to the AO NA Board of Directors, reviewed the proposed revisions to the AO CMF NA Terms of Reference (ToR) submitted by the AO CMF NA Board for AO NA Board approval. The Board determined it should review the Terms of Reference for all the Clinical Divisions and agreed to table the proposed revisions to the AO CMF NA ToR until August 2025.

 

13.  Financials

Ms. Richards presented the summary of the 2025 financial statements and Cash and Investments statements as of March 31, 2025.  Dr. Sciubba, AO NA Treasurer, presented the April 9, 2025, Finance Committee meeting minutes.

 

14.  2024 Audit Report

Ms. Richards shared that the Audit Committee meeting was postponed due to the Audit Committee Chair vacancy.

 

15.  Board Evaluations and Solutions

The Board reviewed evaluation data from its  August 2024, November 2024, and January 2025 board meetings and discussed additional methods to continue to enhance communications between the Board and the Clinical Divisions. 

 

16.  Open Forum

The topics discussed included:

·       Gratitude for the opportunity to engage and contribute.

·       Confirmation that the Board values the “Additional Materials” provided with the Board’s meeting pre-reads.

·       Encouragement to continue to provide candid feedback to board evaluation surveys.

·       The August 2025 Board of Directors meeting will occur in San Francisco, CA.