President Annunziato Amendola, MD, Focuses on ‘Moving Forward’

AAOS 2025-2026 President Annunziato (Ned) Amendola, MD, FAAOS, who assumed the role after the AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting, believes that although it is important to remember the organization’s long and rich history, AAOS and the profession must focus on “moving forward.”

“Membership organizations need to continuously evolve to stay relevant and thrive,” Dr. Amendola said during the Your Academy event at AAOS 2025. “As the world transforms through technology, social movements, and global challenges, organizations must adapt to meet the expectations and needs of their members and the patients they serve.”

Dr. Amendola, professor of orthopaedic surgery and chief of sports medicine at Duke University, is no stranger to change—personally or professionally. He views his history as the definition of the American dream. Born in southern Italy, Dr. Amendola emigrated to Canada with his parents when he was young. He credits his wife Alison’s family, specifically his father-in-law and orthopaedic surgeon Edward J. Blair, MD, FRCSC, for first getting him interested in medicine.

After starting his medical career in Canada, Dr. Amendola emigrated again to the United States, where he has practiced for more than 20 years. After those years practicing at different institutions and in different healthcare systems, Dr. Amendola felt he has participated in the “evolution of orthopaedic surgery,” and now he wants to contribute to the challenging but necessary evolution of AAOS.

Change is vital
Change, Dr. Amendola said, is essential to ensure relevance, sustainability, and continued value for members. Throughout its history, AAOS has consistently adapted to changes in practice, surgical advances, subspecialization, reimbursement, and external challenges.

In more recent years, leadership has continued to move AAOS forward. During his tenure as AAOS president in 2022-2023, Felix H. “Buddy” Savoie III, MD, FAAOS, emphasized the importance of unity in the orthopaedic community, a quality that is essential for change. Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA, FAAOS, focused on establishing a strategic Board of Directors for AAOS, which has helped the organization evolve. Paul Tornetta III, MD, PhD, FAAOS, underscored that even as AAOS changes and evolves, dedication to patient care is essential.

In order to provide that care, it is important to embrace change, Dr. Amendola emphasized. “With our surgical skills, we make a positive and permanent influence on our patients’ lives,” he said. “By increasing patient engagement, advocacy, and education, AAOS can have a greater impact on improving musculoskeletal health.” The AAOS Board of Directors will continue to advance the Strategic Plan’s “Patient” pillar by exploring ways to best educate, inform, and advocate for patients.

Increasing value
In addition to change, Dr. Amendola said AAOS will continue to focus on increasing its value to members by providing essential programs and services.

“Education remains at the core of what the Academy provides to our members,” he said. “We continue to lean on our priorities surrounding expertise, engagement, and collaboration with our specialty societies, while embarking on any potential educational opportunities.”

Dr. Amendola shared that in discussions with members and specialty societies, there were many strategic questions asked that other members may be considering, such as, “Does the Annual Meeting resonate with the current needs and expectations of all our members and stakeholders?” The Education Council and the Annual Meeting Committee focus each year on evaluating and improving the Annual Meeting programming and educational activities.

Research and quality are vital in making sure that orthopaedic surgeons deliver optimal care while continuously improving their practice. The Research and Quality Council has led the way in the application of scientific knowledge to the practice of orthopaedics. AAOS supports its members through a broad array of initiatives. For example, last year, AAOS published four Clinical Practice Guidelines, eight new Appropriate Use Criteria, and two new Toolkits.

“Since the Academy’s launch of the Registry Program over 6 years ago, the program’s data have consistently contributed to significant advances in the orthopaedic community,” Dr. Amendola said. “The family of registries continues to exhibit a steady growth, with over 3.8 million procedures recorded across five orthopaedic registries.” The Registry Program is committed to its mission to collect clinical information that provides data for performance measurement and quality-improvement initiatives.

Finally, Dr. Amendola highlighted AAOS’ advocacy agenda through the Advocacy Council, the Office of Government Relations, and the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC), all of which aim to support physicians and their ability to provide care. “Advocacy continues to be a strong focus of AAOS, and it should be,” Dr. Amendola said. “It is a new government administration, and we will continue to add to the list of priorities.”

The time is now
Now is the time to make sure that AAOS is continuing to move in the right direction, Dr. Amendola told the audience. To support the strategic direction, organizations must embrace governance as an active process, balancing values and traditions with evolving external conditions. Change is essential to ensure relevance, sustainability, and continued value for members, even if it challenges the comfort of the status quo, he said.

“It is a great honor to serve as your 93rd president and represent you,” Dr. Amendola concluded. “I am committed to working together to advance our Strategic Plan while preserving our values of leadership, diversity, and innovation that define our organization.”

OrthoPAC is affiliated with and connected to the 501(c)(6) Association. OrthoPAC is not connected to or affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Leah Lawrence is a freelance writer for AAOS Now.