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AO CMF NA Newsletter: Spring 2026

AO NA Team

View the Spring 2026 newsletter email

Welcome from Dr. Michael Grant, AO CMF NA CDC Chair

Dear AO CMF NA Community,

With spring 2026 underway, I am pleased to have the opportunity to share recent successes, upcoming events, and other relevant CMF news.

OneAO® 2026 took place in Tampa, FL in April. The focus of this year’s program was “Performance, Resilience and Purpose,” with several notable speakers and interactive components that wove together lessons on personal and professional challenges and triumphs. These included the inspiring Together in Surgery session, the Sages on Stage panel, and the presentation of this year’s Educator Awards. The AO CMF NA Community Development committee also organized the April 25 webinar From Challenge to Impact: Women in Surgery on Leadership, Growth, and the AO Experience. This panel discussion highlighted the leadership journeys, professional growth, and interdisciplinary experiences of women in surgery across AO CMF, Trauma, Spine, and VET and fostered reflection, inspiration, and community building within the global AO network. See below for recaps of both stand-out events.

There are several upcoming courses and events for both trainees and practicing surgeons. In addition to Management of Facial Trauma courses in Boston, MA on Aug. 15-16 (Blended), Los Angeles, CA on Oct. 10-1, and Atlanta, GA on Nov. 14-15 (Blended), registration remains open for the Contemporary Management of Orbit and Midface Trauma in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 23-25. Read more about the components of this course below.

Additional educational and networking opportunities will be plentiful at this year’s FACE AHEAD meeting, taking place October 1-3, 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition to highlighting the latest innovations and technologies in the field, many influential names in CMF will contribute their expertise to panel discussions, keynotes, and interactive sessions. Registration is currently open, with discounted rates for AO members and residents.

Another opportunity for community building is the new myAO 2.0 app. The updated platform is a gateway for interaction, networking, and collaboration with members from around the world and to connect with those members in your local area. Use your AO login today to explore this platform and engage with other AO members by sharing or receiving expertise on real cases.

Reach out at anytime via [email protected] to share your feedback and ideas about what to feature in future newsletters.

Sincerely,

Michael Grant, MD, PhD, FACS
AO CMF NA – Community Development Committee Chair

Director of Craniofacial Surgery
Milton T. Edgerton Endowed Professor in Plastic Surgery
Professor of Plastic Surgery and Ophthalmology
University of Virginia School of Medicine

Looking Back: CMF at OneAO® 2026

Embodying the AO spirit of comradery and collaboration, OneAO® 2026 brought together surgeons from across disciplines to explore new approaches to practice and patient care, as well as non-clinical competencies.

This year’s focus on grit, decision-making under pressure, and other factors that drive exceptional outcomes in high-stakes environments were expertly explored in Dr. Rex Marco’s presentation in the Together in Surgery session, Dr. Franck Renouard’s discussion Why Good Surgeons Make Mistakes and Keynote Speaker Ben Hall’s session From War Zones to Operating Rooms. Ben Hall’s session –  exploring his personal journey of perseverance as a war correspondent who sustained a life altering injury while on assignment – particularly resonated with an audience experienced in caring for patients with traumatic injuries. As one attendee explained, “His compassion and resilience were unmatched and everyone in the room was touched by his experience.”

Sages on Stage included leaders from across specialties in a candid, conversational format that illuminated their experiences in leadership. AO CMF was well represented by Joseph Van Sickels, DDS, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Van Sickels shared insights from his extensive experience in orthognathic surgery and clinical education, again highlighting the factors that inform resilience and longevity in surgical practice.

OneAO® also served as the venue for the 2026 Educator Awards, honoring members of the AO community who exemplify excellence, innovation, and leadership in medical education. The Brian Alpert Educator Award was awarded to Bradley Strong, MD, in recognition of his dedication to education and his contributions to craniomaxillofacial surgery. Dr. Strong, a board-certified Otolaryngologist and fellowship-trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, became an AO Faculty member in 1999 and has remained actively engaged in AO education, research, and leadership for over two decades. Dr. Strong strives to preserve the hallmark value of in-person, hands-on learning while strategically integrating digital tools to enhance efficiency, broaden access, and engage the next generation of surgeons.

OneAO 2026® continued a tradition of building new perspectives and competencies, while reinforcing a sense of community and connection across clinical specialties.

Read more highlights here

Recap: Women in Surgery on Leadership, Growth and the AO Experience

Women in surgery are not only navigating unique challenges across every stage of their careers—they are also driving innovation, influencing culture, and redefining leadership. On April 25, distinguished surgeons from across AO North America shared the experiences that have shaped their paths, the insights they have gained as leaders in their fields, and the role the AO has played in supporting their growth and impact.

Weren’t able to tune in? Login and access the discussion on AO Video Hub

This exceptional panel included moderator Kerry Latham, MD, MHPE, CPE and panelists Lisa Blackrick, MD (Trauma), Kati Glass, DVM (Vet), Shannath Merbs, MD, PhD (CMF) and Elizabeth Yu, MD (Spine). Discussion topics ranged from balancing personal and professional pressures, leveraging mentorship and networking, grappling with imposter syndrome, and understanding the importance of allyship.

Dr. Shannath Merbs spoke about her personal experience navigating the opposing demands of family life and career. Dr. Merbs explained that a staunch separation of work and personal life is not practical or necessary to have mutual success in these areas. Instead, she cited the innate ability of women to multi-task as an advantage for alternating effectively between work and family obligations.

Reflecting on mid-career challenges, Dr. Kati Glass explained how she has learned to confidently advocate for herself. Instead of taking on new responsibilities and opportunities to the point of being overextended, Dr. Glass asserts it is more important to be present for the right ones. In her words: “You don’t have to constantly add on… to do the things that we do well matters.” She has overcome the fear that saying no to one offer means that she won’t be sought out for future opportunities.

Later, as the panelists explored their approaches to combatting feelings of inadequacy, Dr. Kerry Latham shared that her role within AO has helped her address imposter syndrome. Being a member of the same community as the other accomplished physicians within AO has been one source of reassurance. In addition, as an active AO faculty member and committee leader, she has built non-clinical skills such as public speaking which have reinforced her confidence.

Dr. Lisa Blackrick reiterated the positive impact of AO, sharing that she sees her involvement with the organization as the foundation of her career. Dr. Blackrick explained: “From a networking standpoint. … I have built relationships with colleagues that I maybe would not have encountered in my career.” She continued that AO has also provided “exposure to diverse perspectives. Engaging with surgeons who practice in different systems, in different regions of the country or the world, gives you a little bit of insight into how to [address your own challenges].”

Outlining specifically how AO has provided a structured pathway for career growth, Dr. Blackrick explained: “I’ve gone from being faculty to transitioning through the faculty and coaching programs, and into the leadership responsibilities and roles that have not been an opportunity in my clinical work.”

Asked about how AO creates leadership pathways for women surgeons, Dr. Elizabeth Yu cited the impact of her participation in the faculty development program and the subsequent opportunities that it opened. Dr. Yu shared that by being faculty she was exposed to other surgeons from other institutions that she likely wouldn’t have met otherwise. She continued, “as I got to know more and more faculty [I met] other female surgeons who became mentors and helped give me access and opportunities to teach other courses within AO, which then exposed me to more faculty and individuals on committees.” This ultimately led her to apply for her initial role on the AO Spine NA Education committee and subsequently to her current leadership role as Chair of the AO Spine NA Community Development Committee.

This thoughtful conversation highlighted the importance of community and mentorship in surmounting the hurdles that women in surgery face, regardless of their specialty or career stage. Organizations like AO are poised to be part of the solution to these challenges. As Dr. Blackrick explained, “AO has created a unique, intentional environment. It brings surgeons from across institutions, regions and career stages that really share this commitment to education and excellence… It has been a major stepping-stone in my career.”

Course Spotlight: Contemporary Management of Orbit and Midface

Oct. 23-25 | Las Vegas, NV

Join AO CMF NA this fall for a hands-on course covering challenging orbital and midfacial injuries. With faculty including national and international experts across OMFS, ENT, Plastics, Ophthalmology, and Oculoplastics, this course combines lectures with expert demonstrations, small group case-based discussions, and ample practical exercises with a low participant to faculty ratio of 4:1.

In just 2.5 days you will:

  • Practice surgical approaches using human anatomical specimens
  • Learn decision-making for complex orbital injuries
  • Work through real cases in small-group settings (4:1 ratio)
  • Explore modern techniques and technologies
  • Walk away ready to: plan, operate, and manage complications with confidence.

Learn more and register

Featured Event: AO NA at Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting

The AO CMF NA Community Development Committee was proud to sponsor FACE – Pushing the Boundaries: Complex Craniofacial Surgery at this year’s Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) Annual Meeting.

Organized by Dr. Tara Lynn Teshima, AO NA Faculty and Education committee member, this session featured Dr. George Kushner presenting “Evolution of Craniofacial Surgery”. Having joined as a lecturer in 1993, Dr. Kushner has been a vital member of AO NA known for mentoring new faculty and promoting excellence in CMF education.

Thank you to CSPS for this opportunity to collaborate and connect with practitioners and innovators in plastic surgery from across Canada and beyond.

Visit the AO CMF NA Resource Hub 

Check out the new AO NA Blog! This addition to the AO NA website makes it easier than ever to stay updated on what’s new and next for the AO NA community including announcements, updates, and accolades.

Access the Resource Hub for the latest AO CMF NA news, information, events, opportunities and more.

 

 

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