Alex Gu, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, PGY2
George Washington University
Washington, DC
Why did you join AAOS?
I joined AAOS because it is the premier organization for orthopaedic surgeons. There is tremendous value in joining the community and helping to advance orthopaedic research, education, and advocacy.
Do you currently volunteer with an AAOS committee? If yes, which one(s)?
I am currently an AAOS Social Media Ambassador.
How do you define success?
Success is about setting appropriate goals. It’s also about understanding what roadblocks might be present to achieve your goals and learning from the experience. For me, success is about learning from experiences, rather than solely the end output.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is my parents. They are both immigrants from China. They both gave up everything in China for the prospect of a better future in the United States.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
AAOS has been instrumental in helping establish new connections and create momentum for driving the field forward. We recently just had our first annual Medical Student Orthopaedic Symposium (MSOS) on April 10th, 2022. It was a tremendous success, in part because of the mentorship and outreach that members of the academy provided for the project. We are excited about the continuation of the symposium on an annual basis but look forward to many new endeavors with the collaborative effort of AAOS members.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Especially for junior members, it may feel daunting since the organization is so vast, but get involved early and network.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I proposed to my then-fiancée (now wife) on the Today Show! Her favorite television show is the Today Show.
The link for the video is: https://www.today.com/video/see-1-couple-s-live-valentine-s-day-proposal-on-today-1442601027822