AO Spine Youth Club—Global Community for Young Spine Surgeons

The AO Spine Youth Club (AO SYC) connects emerging spine surgeons with peers and experts worldwide, fostering meaningful exchange of knowledge and experiences and career growth.

The initiative welcomes young spine surgeon with less than 10 years of experience from around the world, including junior consultants, residents, and highly motivated senior medical students passionate about spine surgery.

The SYC also provides an ideal way to get involved in AO Spine, the leading global academic spine society.

Who is behind the AO Spine Youth Club

Founded in October 2023 with support from AO Spine Europe and Southern Africa (AO SESA) Chairperson Pedro Berjano and Community Development Officer Riccardo Cecchinato—currently the Chairperson-Elect of the Community Development Commission at the AO Spine International Board—the AO SYC has grown to include members from over 20 countries.

The SYC is currently led by three young and enthusiastic AO spine members: Victor Martin-Gorgojo (Spain), Franziska Altorfer (Switzerland), and Gisberto Evangelisti (Italy).

Why young spine surgeons should join the SYC

Current online and in-person initiatives of the SYC include:

Expert Insight Series: Online interviews with seasoned experts on their experiences and practical advice with 30+ recorded sessions
AO Spine Youth Club Talks: Live webinars on key topics and challenges in spine surgery
In-person meetings: The inaugural live gathering was hosted at the AO Davos Courses 2024, providing a unique opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaboratively shape the future direction of our club
Global Spine Congress: At the AO Spine's annual Global Spine Congress (GSC), the SYC continues to build meaningful relationships and to engage with the world's leading spine experts and key opinion leaders. As global participation in the SYC keeps growing with more members contributing to the organization and execution of activities, new events held at the world’s premier spine congress GSC provide a unique opportunity to get involved in SYC and meet the founders.

How to learn more about the SYC and connect

The AO SYC is a platform for everyone passionate about spine surgery for connecting, learning, and for leadership. The launch article in 2024 introduced the original concept and the founders.

To stay up to date on AO Spine and the Spine Youth Club activities, subscribe to the AO Spine biweekly newsletter or connect with the SYC directly on digital platforms: