Diversity at the AO on International Women's Day

Key figures in the AO's opportunity, diversity, and inclusion initiative look at what IWD means

Samantha Morello, DVM, Diplomate ACVS, Clinical Associate Professor of Large Animal Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, USA

The AO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, with gender being one of many diversities that the AO embraces.

The AO has taken evidence- and research based steps to gather data on areas where progress is needed. Your feedback and conversations can further drive AO to being more diverse and inclusive in parallel to the AO working on implementing a change in processes, policies and structures.

To mark IWD we asked some of our leading surgeons to share their thoughts on what diversity means for the AO.

Samantha Morello (pictured above), said: "I think that International Women’s Day a day to celebrate all the women who took the first steps to be doing things, and being places, where there weren’t women before: in orthopedic surgery, in healthcare, and everywhere in society. It’s also a day to encourage everyone - women, men, girls and boys - to keep making sure there are equal opportunities for everyone to have a voice and be included. That sort of environment will always bring the best to the table." 

 

Matthew J Allen, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS, Professor of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge.

Matthew Allen (pictured above) said: “On this IWD we recognize the contributions of women - surgeons, nurses and healthcare professionals - to the development of Orthopaedic Surgery as a specialty. We look forward to a future in which talented individuals - irrespective of background, gender or identity - are able to participate fully in the educational activities of AO, to the betterment of everyone.”

Amy S Kapatkin DVM, MAS, Dip ACVS, Professor of SA Orthopedic Surgery, University of California- Davis, USA

Amy Kapatkin, pictured above, noted: "As Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, 'Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.' On this IWD, I encourage AO to continue their efforts of recruiting and advancing women in all aspects of the organization because they are talented and capable."