- Welcome from CDC Chair
- Featured Program: Early Career Mentorship
- Dr. Michelle Clarke Elected AO Spine NA Representative
- Cases & Cocktails at LSRS
- Webinar: Women in Surgery
View the Spring 2026 newsletter email
Welcome from Dr. Elizabeth Yu, AO Spine NA CDC Chair
Dear AO Spine NA Community,
As we welcome spring 2026, I am delighted to share our achievements, upcoming events, and other relevant news.
Since the last newsletter, the annual Banff Fellows Forum took place the last week of March 2026 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. There were a record number of AONA spine fellows in attendance. ***are you able to add highlights?*** Thank you to the chairs, Dr. Eric Klineberg and Dr. Brett Freedman, and the attendees for the lively research discussions and exchange of innovative ideas.
The Early Career Mentorship Program spring meetings are underway. Mentors are hosting office hours with topics of interest with mentees. Learn more about the program and how to get involved below. Thank you to Dr. Serena Hu and Dr. Ryan Spiker, who both serve on the AO Spine NA Community Development Committee, for sitting down for a thoughtful discussion about the mentorship program, its origins and plans for the future. Thank you also to Dr. Hu for editing this issue of the newsletter.
There are several upcoming courses and events for both trainees and practicing surgeons. Register for the From Challenge to Impact: Women in Surgery on Leadership, Growth, and the AO Experience, a webinar open to all surgeons, clinicians, and trainees who wish to deepen their understanding of the experiences and challenges of women in surgery and contribute to a more supportive professional environment. OneAO 2026 takes place later this month in Tampa, Florida. Scheduled from April 29-30, this year’s program focuses on Performance, Resilience and Purpose with several notable speakers, including Dr. Rex Marco who is featured in the Together in Surgery session. The Part II ABOS Oral Board Review course, will take place on June 20, 2026 in Chicago, IL.
Additional educational exchange and networking opportunities will be incorporated into this year’s Global Spine Congress, May 27-30, Istanbul, Turkey. Hear from some of the biggest names in spinal surgery about why you should attend this year’s meeting. This leading congress will feature quality speakers and highlight the latest innovations and technologies in the field.
Another opportunity for community building, the new myAO 2.0 app, has been available to users for the past few months. This is a platform 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 the next generation of this community-oriented platform.
While resources like myAO 2.0 and AO Surgery Reference are free to access, active AO members gain access to mentorship and a national and international network of spine surgeons. Additional membership privileges include access to professional development opportunities, research resources, and educational programs. Membership is affordable at 100 CHF. Please refer interested prospective members to me directly for further information.
Elizabeth Yu, MD
AO Spine NA – Community Development Committee Chair
Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Spine
Chief, Division of Spine Surgery
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Featured Program: Early Career-Mentorship
By Dr. Serena Hu
AO Spine NA Community Development Committee Member
As we finish another year and the holidays near, I find myself reflecting on what that past year has looked liked, what can I do better, what am I proud of, and what I am excited for. This year marks the last year of Dr. Eric Klineberg’s term as AO Spine NA Board Chair, and the Community Development Committee (CDC) thought it would be great to highlight his presidency and his commitment to the AO. I was able to have a conversation with Eric and wanted to share his thoughts with the AO NA community.
Dr. Michelle Clarke Elected as the AO Spine North America Representative on the AO North America Board
AO North America is pleased to announce the election of Michelle Clarke, MD, PhD as the new AO Spine North America (AO Spine NA) Representative on the AO North America Board of Directors, effective immediately. Dr. Clarke will serve a four-year term, bringing extensive clinical expertise, educational leadership, and commitment to the AO mission to this important role.
Dr. Clarke is accomplished in the field of spine surgery, with a background spanning clinical spine surgery, fellowship leadership, education science, ethics, and research. Along with this varied experience, she is also well versed in resource allocation, quality oversight, and operational leadership within complex healthcare systems.
Read more about Dr. Clarke and her new role
Featured Event: Cases & Cocktails at LSRS
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 4 PM CT
Are you attending the Lumbar Research Society Annual Meeting? Don’t miss Cases & Cocktails: A Panel Discussion in Partnership with AO Spine NA. This session is sponsored by the AO Spine NA Community Development Committee. We look forward to seeing you there!
Moderator: Elizabeth Yu, MD; AO Spine NA Community Development Chair
Panelists: Michael Steinmetz, MD; Cara Sedney, MD; Andrew Chan, MD; Brandon Lawrence, MD; Wellington Hsu, MD
From Challenge to Impact: Women in Surgery on Leadership, Growth and the AO Experience
April 25, 2026 | 10–11 AM ET
Women in surgery are not only navigating challenges across every stage of their careers—they are also driving innovation, influencing culture, and redefining leadership across specialties. In this powerful conversation, distinguished surgeons from across AO North America will share 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.
This webinar features an exceptional panel of respected voices in surgery:
Moderator: Kerry Latham, MD, MHPE, CPE
Panelists: Shannath Merbs, MD, PhD (CMF); Elizabeth Yu, MD (Spine); Lisa Blackrick, MD (Trauma); Kati Glass, DVM (Vet)
Register Now