Rolanda Willacy, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, PGY2
Howard University Hospital
Washington, DC
Why did you join AAOS?
I joined AAOS because of the resources and the support that this organization provides at all stages of career development. AAOS provides educational resources such as ResStudy and access to JAAOS, which is particularly valuable in my residency journey, and I am proud to be a member.
Do you currently volunteer with an AAOS committee? If yes, which one(s)?
I am currently a volunteer with the Resident Assembly and excited about the ways that I will be able to contribute to the initiatives of the Education Committee. I am looking forward to working with like-minded Residents committed to actively engaging in service and effecting change within this organization.
How do you define success?
Success is predicated on how many lives we positively impact through our work. I believe that the culture of orthopaedic surgery in shifting in the right direction, and as a result we will continue to see increased diversity within this specialty. Our ability to effectively care for a diverse population is something I’m passionate about, and my success is defined only by my ability to open doors for future aspiring Orthopaedic Surgeons, while providing the highest quality of care for my patients.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My two biggest inspirations are my mother and my husband. My mother taught me to always use my voice to speak up against injustice. She also taught me that service was the highest calling, and this is a principal that has stuck with me to this day. My husband is also a major inspiration in that he is selfless and an advocate for others. He is innovative, ambitious, yet seeks to serve, and I am continually inspired by these qualities.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
So far, AAOS has played an integral role in my journey even during my time as a Medical Student. During the Spring of my first year of Medical School, I was an intern at the AAOS Government Relations Office in Washington, DC. That same year, I became the first medical student to join the Resident Assembly both as a volunteer member on the Education and Research Committees. As a Resident, AAOS provides quality educational content that is easily accessible on my laptop or iPhone device. Most recently, I won a Research Grant through JRGOS/Zimmer Biomet, announced at the 2022 Annual Meeting. AAOS continues to play a pivotal role in my development, and I look forward to what the future holds.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Take advantage of all the resources AAOS provides! There are incredible educational tools, opportunities for leadership and volunteer committee roles, as well as resources for development at every step of the journey.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I absolutely love music. I’m a pretty good singer and I’ve sung in choirs, praise teams and musicals since I was 3 years old. I’ve also arranged harmonies, and arrangements for choirs, and smaller groups! I play several instruments; piano, viola, cello, and guitar.