May 2026 Board Summary

Board of Directors – Meeting Summary

1 May 2026

OneAO^® – Tampa, FL

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. Welcome Dr. Clarke

Dr. Michelle Clarke joined the AO NA Board of Directors in April as AO Spine NA’s representative.

2. Education Update

• The Board reviewed the improvements to AO NA’s DPM courses made by AO NA’s Curriculum Task Force, led by Chad Coles, MD.
• Rizzo, Education Advisory Board (EAB) Chair, discussed the AO NA’s education opportunities and areas of concern, highlighted AO NA’s recently retitled Educator Awards and the recipients, and stated that AO NA received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education for another four years.
• Clarke summarized the Education Transformation Subcommittee’s (ETSC) recent two-day workshop and reviewed the proposed pilot programs developed during the session. The group discussed the intended outcomes of the pilot programs and next steps.

3. AO VET NA Status

The Board discussed the 2026 courses and its efforts to identify partners for course support while planning for 2027 courses.

4. AO Membership

Mr. Denk, AO Membership and Community Executive Director, reviewed the concept for a new AO membership, including tiered benefits.

5. Future of OneAO®

Dr. Lee summarized the perceptions of OneAO®, reviewed the recent survey results, and proposed a program redesign. The group discussed the value of the meeting and potential enhancements. There was consensus that the meeting should continue in a different, more specialty-specific and community-based format.

6. Proposal to Add a Resident and Fellow to Select AO NA Committee

The Board approved a pilot program to add one resident and one fellow to AO NA’s community development, education, and resident committees, effective with the 2026 – 2027 volunteer calendar. The calls for volunteers will be sent before June.

7. Revisions to the AO NA President Position Description.

The Board approved enhancements to the AO NA President position description given the evolution of the role and the needs of AO NA.

8. Financials

• The Board received a financial update and a summary of the Finance Committee’s conversation with AO NA’s investment firm.
• The Board elected Salvatore Lettieri, AO CMF NA representative to the AO NA Board of Directors, as a member of the Finance Committee.                                                                          

9. Proposal to Adopt Research Letter of Support Policy

The Board discussed a draft policy outlining when to send letters of support to AO-back research projects. The group discussed the history of requests, the benefits and the consequences of the proposed policy and voted to reject it. The Board concluded that AO NA should not endorse any research project.

10. Selection of AO NA Delegate to AMA’s Specialty and Service Society

The Board appointed Augustine Saiz, Jr., MD, to serve a three-year term as AO NA’s inaugural delegate to the AMA Specialty and Service Society, effective immediately.

11. AO Update

Mr. Albers provided an overview of the evolving AO strategy, focusing on strengthening long-term relevance, financial resilience, and enabling new business models through structural and digital transformation. He stated that it builds on six strategic focus areas (AO business, future of work, partnerships, networks, next generation AO, and digitalization) as key enablers of change.

He also reported that the AO Foundation Board approved AO’s pursuit of four overarching strategic goals over the next three years:

1. Increase global relevance and reputation: strengthen AO’s positioning and impact worldwide across its core domains and stakeholder groups.
2. Ensure financial sustainability under different scenario: build a more diversified and resilient financial model capable of adapting to changing external conditions.
3. Resolve key showstoppers and organizational blockages: identify and remove structural, governance, and operational barriers hindering execution and performance.
4. Refocus and optimize the AO value chain to enable new business models: streamline and realign core processes and capabilities to support innovation and scalable future business opportunities.