Abner M. Ward, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS
CEO Tenaya Medical Group
Associate Professor of Surgery
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Why did you join AAOS?
To become a member of the world's largest association of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal providers. Also, joined to network and learn up to date information from global leaders in orthopaedic surgery.
Do you currently volunteer with a committee? If yes, which one(s)?
Health Care Systems Committee
Hand and Wrist Evaluation Committee
How do you define success?
The ability to determine the solution to a problem, create a plan, execute the task, and then prevail.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Dr. Joseph Whittaker, former Chairperson Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Dr. Whittaker was an exceptional inspiration and guiding hand to me while an undergraduate and helped me matriculate into the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The organization has been the guiding group for my pre and post residency/fellowship knowledge accumulation, and source for interaction with fellow peers as my career progressed.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Utilize the resources on the website, journals, and at the AAOS Annual Meeting to the fullest extent possible.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I have visited 41 countries in the world and lived in France and Switzerland.