Board of Directors – Meeting Summary
7-8 November 2025
Philadelphia, PA
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. Social Media Update
Candy Tai, Director, Marketing, Engagement and Communications, presented an overview of AO NA’s social media performance. Key priorities include improving content consistency, expanding video output, and piloting geofencing analytics to measure digital engagement. Challenges include sourcing high-quality content routinely and managing more than 20 social media channels.
2. Johnson & Johnson MedTech Update
Aaron Villaruz, Worldwide Vice President of Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech Global Education Services, reported that the DePuy Synthes (DPS) separation from Johnson & Johnson will take 18–24 months.
3. AO Update
Dr. Mark Markel, AO President, outlined two major initiatives in development: a global program to engage young surgeons and a centralized process for partnerships and sponsorships to build coordination and transparency. He also reported on the rebrand of AO TV and enhancements to the Opening Ceremony of the Davos Courses. Mr. Claas Albers, AO CEO & Vice Chair, provided additional updates about the Cooperation Agreement, the relaunch of the myAO app, and AO’s continued commitment to Reconstruction.
4. Education
A. Faculty Engagement Pathway
Dr. Chitra Subramaniam, Chief Learning & Strategy Officer, outlined a new tiered faculty application system, developed by the Faculty Engagement Task Force and supported by software that automates workflows and enables clearer tracking and scoring. She also discussed a new modular approach to the Faculty Education Program (FEP) which will include online self-directed content in addition to in-person workshops and programming, scheduled to launch in 2026. The AO NA Board has mandated that all faculty who teach in-person AO NA courses must complete an in-person Faculty Education Program.
B. Future of Learning
Dr. Subramaniam delivered a presentation on evolving consumer and learning trends, noting a shift from loyalty to purposeful engagement, with social media influence and competition increasing sharply.
C. AO VET NA Think Tank at OneAO® 2026
The Board approved funding to support an AO VET North America (AO VET NA) Think Tank at OneAO® 2026 using AO NA’s investment income.
D. Future of Reconstruction within AO NA
With AO’s commitment to continuing reconstruction, the Board discussed AO NA’s opportunities and challenges related to reconstruction courses and emphasized the importance of being actively involved in funding and course development discussions.
5. Association Management System Selection
The Board approved the adoption of AO’s association management system to replace AO NA’s MiCME, contingent upon the successful execution of the AO / AO NA Partnership Agreement, Data Agreement, and a mutually agreed implementation plan. This transition aims to streamline expenses, eliminate duplication, and enhance the member experience within the AO ecosystem.
6. Recommendation to Adopt a New AO NA Office Lease
The Board approved a draft lease agreement for a new AO NA headquarters located near the current office, which will reduce office space and associated expenses.
7. Governance
A. Meeting Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from its August 2025 meeting.
B. Signatory and Disbursement Policy
The Board approved proposed revisions to the AO NA Signature and Disbursement Policy, which outlines authority, limits, and conditions for contracts, expenditures, etc. among the leadership and staff.
C. Communicating the Loss of Key AO NA Individuals Policy
The Board approved a policy that sets clear and consistent guidelines for how AO NA should handle communications when someone who significantly has contributed to the organization passes away.
D. Delegation of Administrative Policy Updates Policy
The Board approved AO NA governance staff to make minor, non-substantive updates to Board-approved policies without needing formal Board approval; however, requiring staff to provide updates of any changes.
E. AO NA Board Approvals Report
In between its August and November meetings, the Board of Directors unanimously approved two actions:
- New Nominating Committee Procedures
- Authorizing Dr. Kapatkin and Dr. Lee to negotiate, on behalf of AO NA, the terms of the partnership agreement between AO NA and the AO Foundation.
F. Clinical Specialty Representative to the AO NA Board of Directors Update
The Board received a status update about the elections for Spine NA and CMF NA Representatives to the AO NA Board of Directors, which are underway.
G. Call for Volunteers 2026
The Board received an overview of the 2026 Call for Volunteers timeline and a summary of the anticipated positions to be filled across the clinical specialties as well as cross-functional committees with terms beginning on 1 July 2026.
H. AO NA Amended and Restated Committee Rules and Regulations
The Board accepted proposed revisions to the AO NA Amended and Restated Committee Rules and Regulations that clarified the Executive Council’s responsibilities and refer to the Amended and Restated Election Procedures, where necessary.
I. Terms of Reference for AO NA Clinical Specialties
AO Foundation updated its Terms of Reference (ToR) in 2025 July and introduced annex summaries outlining functional roles by region. In response, comparison grids of ToRs across clinical specialties were developed to identify areas of potential alignment and distinction. It was recommended that each clinical specialty board review the comparison grids to determine alignment opportunities.
8. Financials
Karen Richards, Vice President of Finance and Operations presented the AO NA Inc. and AO NA Charitable Fund’s 2024 Returns of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (990s), which the Board discussed and approved. Ms. Richards also provided an update on the 2025 financials and the year-end forecast. She presented the Finance Committee’s proposed draft 2026 budget, which the Board approved.
9. Recommendation to Adopt Revised Fundraising Policy
The Board adopted a new fundraising allocation structure giving donors full discretion over how their contributions are used, allowing 100% of designated gifts to support the clinical specialty and area of their choice – education, fellowship, and/or research. The Board discussed that industry may contribute, but only to research programming. The AO NA Board will continue to oversee the use of unrestricted donations.
10. Executive Director Report
Jennifer Jones, Executive Director, provided an update on AO NA’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, outlining progress toward key priorities. She also reviewed recent organizational activities, highlighting staff training and engagement initiatives, over 7,000 learning touchpoints logged since August, and ongoing IT system enhancements. She reported on a few additional projects, which include refining tuition pricing strategies, finalizing the member survey, developing recognition programs for faculty and volunteers, and creating a new sponsorship program.
11. Open Forum
The Board thanked Dr. Alan Herford and Dr. Daniel Sciubba for their service on the AO NA Board of Directors as representatives of their clinical specialty as they near the end of their leadership terms.
The topics discussed included:
- Michael Suk, MD, AO NA Member-at-Large, stated that the American Medical Association (AMA) accepted AO NA’s application to its Specialty and Service Society, with the delegate term to begin in 2026 June. The group discussed the timeline for the Call for Applications to serve as the AO NA representative.
- Many of the board members expressed their appreciation for the constructive, collaborative, and candid discussion during this board meeting.
- Albers confirmed the AO NA President’s position within the Assembly of AO Trustees.
