American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons names Thomas E. Arend, Jr. as new CEO

ROSEMONT, Ill. (February 21, 2017) — The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) announced the selection of Thomas E. Arend, Jr., CAE, to the position of Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2017. As CEO, Arend will work directly with the AAOS Board of Directors and executive management team to oversee a staff of 250 and manage an annual budget of $60 million.
 
“The Academy is very pleased that Tom Arend, an experienced and proven health care leader, will serve as our next CEO,” said AAOS President Gerald R. Williams Jr., MD. “Tom is a strong strategic thinker and visionary leader who understands the complexities of the changing health care arena. He will serve our members and staff well.”
 
Arend currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at the American College of Cardiology (ACC), a 52,000-member organization in Washington, DC. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring the ACC’s overall financial health, operational effectiveness and strategic direction. In addition, he is responsible for all aspects of the College’s legal, risk management and compliance activities.
 
Since joining the ACC in 2004, Arend has led the College through two CEO transitions and played critical roles in the development of comprehensive relationship with industry standards and code of ethics, as well as the College’s  five-year strategic plan and more recent governance restructuring.  Arend has also spearheaded several successful collaborations with other medical societies and stakeholders that directly benefit the ACC’s mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health. Most recently, he was responsible for the addition of hospital accreditation services to the ACC’s suite of hospital quality improvement offerings.
 
“I am excited to join the AAOS, and I am honored and humbled to be leading this strong and vibrant organization,” said Arend. “I look forward to advancing the mission of the Academy and working closely with the volunteer leaders, members and staff.”
                                               
Prior to joining ACC, Arend served as an attorney at Shaw Pittman, LLP and Jenner & Block. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the Washington College of Law at The American University, a Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College. He is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bar associations, the American Society of Association Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
 
Arend is replacing AAOS CEO Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE, who is retiring after 14 years at the organization’s helm. The AAOS Board of Directors retained executive search firm Korn Ferry to lead the search for a new CEO.

About the AAOS
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

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