With second term as AO VIB chairperson beginning in July, Watkins recounts achievements, looks to the future

When Dr Jeffrey P Watkins took the reins as chairperson of the AO VET International Board (AO VIB) in July 2021, he pledged to lead the AO VET community with integrity, honesty, and fairness—and outlined an ambitious agenda for keeping the AO clinical division at the forefront of veterinary orthopedics. As he prepares to begin his second term in that leadership role, Watkins recounted the highlights of his first term and outlined his priorities for his upcoming term.

When you began your first term as AO VIB chairperson, you said your major focus would be on helping move AO VET forward while navigating the ever-changing environment in which the board operates. What changes did you see during your first term and how did the board steer through them?

Based on my previous experience in other leadership positions, I’ve learned that a lot of effort ends up being exerted toward managing various unforeseen issues which confront the organization. I assumed the chair at a time when we were just emerging from COVID-19 and traveling under various restrictions. This presented a major hurdle in terms of trying to reestablish our educational offerings. As we returned to having in-person courses, we encountered several problems that required a fair bit of effort to work through. However, with the help of our leadership team, we sorted them out and took measures to help prevent their recurrence.

Reestablishing the normal governance functions of the international board was equally important once COVID-19 restrictions were loosened. We learned quite a lot about working together online, which sustained us through the periods where travel was completely restricted, but it became obvious that there is a tangible benefit to meeting face-to-face and working side by side.

An important learning from my time in leadership, which I’ve found it to be especially true as AO VIB chairperson, is that the real work is done by the board members and their respective commissions and regional boards. AO VET is truly fortunate to have volunteers who give an enormous amount back to the organization. They are really the ones responsible for the work being done to keep the clinical division moving forward. There are many accomplishments that have been realized in the past three years, some of which were initiated prior to me becoming chairperson. It’s important to recognize the contributions of those who precede us. Without the leadership provided by Jorge Auer followed by Carl Kirker-Head and the various members of the AO VIB, both current and those who have since completed their terms, AO VET as we know it today would not exist. The current AO VIB is committed to continuing to refine our educational offerings and expanding our learning portfolio to meet our stakeholders’ current and future needs. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to provide our membership with tangible benefits that will keep them engaged with AO VET and encourage other professionals to join us, and we continue to make progress in our diversity and inclusion initiatives. Our ability to fund innovative research is limited; however, we continue to support collaborative projects at the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI), and to support early-career surgeons with seed grants and opportunities to present their work. These are just a few of the ongoing efforts that are being spearheaded by the AO VIB, our global commissions, and our regional boards.

What drives you in your role as AO VIB chairperson and what inspired you to seek a second term?

AO VET has been one of the most important elements in my career as a surgeon. As an AO VET faculty member, the opportunity to continually interact and learn from other AO VET surgeons was pivotal in my development as a surgeon as well as an educator. As I matriculated to a more senior faculty level, I had the opportunity to engage with the AO Technical Commission (AO TC) though membership in the Veterinary Expert Group (VEEG). Later, when I moved into a leadership role in the VEEG, I realized the importance of giving back to the organization that had provided me so much opportunity. This led to further engagement in leadership at the regional board level and eventually the AO VIB.

You’ve talked before about the ever-changing environment that AO VIB operates in. What changes and challenges do you see ahead?

It’s now well-known that AO VET is facing a new challenge which is concerning but at the same time exciting. As of 2026, AO VET will no longer be included in the collaboration agreement between the AO and its industrial partner, DePuy Synthes (DPS). In-kind support (instruments and implants) as well as the funding for many of our educational activities are provided through the agreement with DPS. Consequently, AO VET will be pursuing alternatives to provide in-kind support for our educational events as well as finding new sources of funding.

It’s important to note that regardless of this decision by DPS, we have the full support of the AO Foundation and will remain a clinical division. The AO Foundation Board (AO FB) is fully committed to helping AO VET find tangible solutions from 2026 onward. Filling this gap will be a challenge but we are excited about the potential to expand our reach within the industry and connect with a much wider group of potential partners.

What are your key priorities for the next three years?

I think our most pressing issue is maintaining our status as the premier provider of orthopedic education to the veterinary community and at the same time expanding our course portfolio to meet the current and future needs of veterinarians worldwide. A key element to accomplish this will be development of a sustainable plan to support our global educational offerings from 2026 forward. We are in the initial phases of developing such a plan and are excited about the prospects. In addition, we must continue developing innovative ways to support and diversify our community and develop appealing programs which motivate our members to remain engaged with AO VET as well as attract new members.