AO Trauma North America Faculty Engagement Pathway
Faculty Pathway Structure
The Faculty Engagement Pathway is how AO Trauma North America (AO NA) finds, mentors, and develops its next generation of faculty. It gives every AO NA member a clear, open route to grow as a surgeon educator, grounded in AO's commitment to lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and collaboration.
Our vision: a diverse, skilled faculty community that advances trauma education and patient outcomes across North America.
How the pathway works
The pathway has three tiers. Everyone starts at Tier 1, and you move up by meeting the next tier's requirements and applying.
| Tier | Who it's for | What it opens up |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Candidate | AO NA members new to the faculty pathway | Mentorship and introductory-level roles in AO educational activities |
| 2 – Associate | Tier 1 Candidates who have stayed engaged | Teaching at AO online events and engage in educational activities except for face-to-face courses |
| 3 – Active Faculty | Educators ready to teach in face-to-face courses and eventually become leaders and mentors | Full faculty status, with teaching, leadership, course development, and mentoring roles |
Tier requirements
Tier 1 – Candidate
Who it's for: AO NA members applying to the faculty pathway for the first time.
Requirements
Current AO North America membership
AO Basic Principles and Advanced Principles Courses completed
Accredited trauma fellowship completed (AO NA Davos Fellows experience preferred)
Participation in AO NA online activities
Two sponsor forms from senior AO faculty
Tier 1 application form, CV, and letter of intent
What you get: Mentorship and introductory-level participation in AO educational activities.
Tier 2 – Associate
Who it's for: Tier 1 Candidates who have stayed actively engaged.
Requirements
Tier 1 status
Continued participation in AO NA online activities
Attend at least one OneAO meeting between Tier 1 and Tier 2
Tier 2 application form
What you get: The opportunity to teach at AO online events and engage in educational activities except for face-to-face courses. Example activities include online moderators, clinical case contributors/authors, participate in working groups as needed.
Tier 3 – Active Faculty
Who it's for: Educators ready to teach in face-to-face courses and eventually become leaders and mentors
Requirements
Tier 2 status
Faculty Education Program (FEP) completed
At least attended one OneAO meeting
Tier 3 application form
What you get: Recognition as AO Trauma NA Faculty, with opportunities to lead, develop courses, and mentor.
How to apply
Application window: October 1, 2026 – November 4, 2026
Log in to (or create an account on) the AO Faculty Engagement Portal.
Complete the application form for your tier.
Upload your supporting documents (for Tier 1: CV, letter of intent, and sponsor forms).
Submit your application online.
What happens next
Sponsors are contacted for you. Your sponsors automatically receive an email asking them to complete their forms.
We'll remind you. If your application is incomplete, you'll get a reminder every two weeks.
Two reviewers decide. Two members of the AO Trauma NA Engagement Taskforce review each application and score them. The taskforce reviews the scores and approves the applications.
You'll receive your appointment. Approved applicants get a Letter of Appointment confirming their tier, role expectations, and next steps.
Once you're appointed
As a member of the pathway, you'll have access to:
AO faculty development activities
Mentorship opportunities
AO educational events
Guidance on advancing to the next tier
For any questions related to how you can get started on your own journeys, please reach out to Eydie Castro, Assistant Director, Live Events at facultyapplication@aona.org.
We look forward to receiving your applications and getting started.