August 2025 Board Summary

Board of Directors – Meeting Summary
22 – 23 August 2025
San Francisco, CA

As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, the AO NA Board of Directors shares key takeaways from each meeting. Our goal is to keep you informed about the issues we’re addressing, the decisions we’re making, and the progress we’re achieving.

By sharing this information, we aim to strengthen our connection with you and ensure our priorities align with member needs. We also welcome your input – let us know how we’re doing and what issues matter most to you. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping our direction. Please share your thoughts with us at [email protected].

1. Consent Agenda

The Board approved the submissions within the Consent Agenda, which included:

• Accepting the 21 June 2025 meeting minutes;
• Ratifying the appointment of Dr. Daniel Sciubba as Chair-Elect of the AO SNA Board;
• Approving the revisions to the AO NA Education Advisory Board (EAB) Charter; and
• Approving revisions to the AO NA Staff & Expense Travel Policy.

2. Governance

   a. AO NA Amended & Restated Election Procedures

The Board accepted revisions to the AO NA Amended & Restated Election Procedures that expands the role of Nominating Committees in the elections process and ensures committees take a more substantive role in evaluating and preparing candidates for leadership opportunities, rather than solely advancing all nominees to the electorate.

b. Election of AO NA Secretary & Treasurer

      The Board elected Timothy Achor, MD, AO Trauma NA to serve as AO NA Secretary, effective 1 January 2025, and José García-López, VMD, AO VET NA, to serve as AO NA Treasurer, effective upon Dr. Sciubba’s resignation from the AO NA Board to begin his role as AO SNA Chair-Elect.

 c. Volunteer Commitment Form

The Board discussed the proposed Volunteer Commitment Form, designed to establish consistent expectations, reinforce AO NA’s values, enhance role clarity, strengthen accountability, and foster a positive, respectful, and mission-aligned volunteer culture. Directors expressed support for the framework and recommended integrating the components into the volunteer appointment process and related communications.

d. Proposed 2026 BoD Meeting Dates

The Board accepted the proposed 2026 BoD Meeting Dates:

• March – Strategic Meeting (In person)

Thursday, 12 March (evening) – Saturday, 14 March (afternoon)

• May – In person @ OneAO, Tampa, FL

Friday, 1 May: 8am ET – 3pm ET

• June – Video Conference (if needed)

Saturday, 20 June: 9am ET

• August – In person @ AO NA HQ (Wayne, PA)

Thursday, 20 August (evening) – Depart Saturday, 22 August (afternoon)

• November – In person @ AO NA HQ (Wayne, PA)

Thursday, 12 November (evening) – Depart Saturday, 14 November (afternoon) 

3. Association Management System Selection

The Board had additional questions related to the integration of AO NA’s education transformation plans, the potential system integration, and the need to establish a data agreement before selecting a new association management system (AMS).

4. American Medical Association – House of Delegates

The Board discussed a strategic opportunity for AO NA to join the American Medical Association’s Specialty and Service Society Section (Triple S). Participation in the Triple S would strengthen AO NA’s national presence, expand leadership opportunities within the AMA, and build strategic relationships across medical and surgical specialties. The Board agreed to pursue eligibility in AMA’s Triple S.

5. Financials

The Board received an overview of AO NA’s 2025 financial statements and cash and investments statements as of 31 July 2025 and discussed the development of the 2026 budget.

6. AO Update

Dr. Markel, AO President, reported on priorities following his election in June 2025. He highlighted efforts to expand outreach to young surgeons through global initiatives, as well as the launch of new platforms such as MyAO 2.0 and the AO Companion in December 2025 to enhance individualized education.

Mr. Albers, AO CEO & Vice Chair, provided additional updates about the appointment of a new head of IT, the AO Trustees Meeting in June, advancements in cybersecurity, and a new Memo of Understanding with the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.

7. Johnson & Johnson MedTech Update

Aaron Villaruz, Worldwide Vice President of Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech Global Education Services, provided updates on the company’s organizational structure, strategic framework and focus, and business highlights.

8. Education Strategy

Dr. Marco Rizzo, Chair, Education Advisory Board (EAB), outlined the purpose of the EAB and reported that the EAB held its first meeting on 21 August 2025.

Board discussion focused on challenges and opportunities in education delivery, including balancing multiple modalities, addressing budget constraints, maintaining faculty engagement, and adapting to generational learning preferences. The EAB will create an Education Transformation Subcommittee to tackle these issues.

9. Open Forum

The topics discussed included:

• Gratitude for the opportunity to engage and contribute.
• The AO/ J&J MedTech Collaboration Agreement.
• Social media.