AAOS Launches New Grant Championing Diversity in Orthopedics

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) is a world leader in providing medical educational resources to orthopedic surgeons. As the largest medical association of musculoskeletal care practitioners worldwide, it aims to enhance the quality of musculoskeletal care and increasing diversity in the orthopedic profession. In 2018, AAOS included diversity in the key goals in its 5-year plan.

The AAOS Diversity Advisory Board (DAB) spearheaded several initiatives to increase diversity in four main areas: recruitment, selection, retention, and culture. AAOS is focused on recruiting underrepresented minorities and women through a transparent selection process for leadership and membership positions. Furthermore, the organization is working to enhance the retention of these target groups within the AAOS volunteer structure through additional mentoring and support opportunities. Finally, AAOS is working on transforming the orthopedic culture into a more diverse and inclusive one.

According to the 2021 AAOS Governance Diversity Report, data indicates a positive pattern of increased diversity across various leadership positions, including the AAOS board of directors, committees, and councils. The report highlights the fact that more females and underrepresented minorities are selected during the application process for leadership and member positions.

While only 27 percent of URM applicants were appointed to AAOS committees and councils in 2018, that number rose to 40 percent in 2020. Similarly, the percentage of appointed female applicants rose from 41 to 47 percent over the span of 2 years.

In May 2022, AAOS announced its Inspiring Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) grant program. The multi-year program promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in musculoskeletal care. DEI covers race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and LGBTQ+ identity, as well as socioeconomic and veteran status. The program aims to achieve its goals through better availability of AAOS educational, professional, and outreach initiatives to medical students, residents, and practicing orthopedic surgeons from diverse backgrounds.

AAOS intends to award grants amounting to $1 million over the course of 5 years. American educational and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the grant. Applicants need to propose projects that champion DEI in orthopedic surgery.

IDEA grants target different DEI areas and recipients. The grants are categorized in four tracks: touchpoints, retention, community, and academia. A minimum of $50,000 is available for each track. Applicants can apply to a maximum of two tracks per grant cycle.

The touchpoints track allocates grants to single-event programs prioritizing DEI to foster a more welcoming environment for medical students and residents interested in entering the field of orthopedics. Such programs can include community projects, skills workshops, and educational programs.

The retention track addresses the long-term goal of retaining a diverse orthopedic workforce. Funds can support programs or organizations that focus on mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development.

The community track targets non-academic practice settings. This grant track can be used to support surgeons practicing in communities with limited resources or those with disabilities.

Finally, the academia track targets DEI in academics related to orthopedic surgery. Academic medical centers and research institutions can benefit from this grant track to fund DEI-focused programs.

The IDEA grant cycle begins in May and ends in July. AAOS will notify successful applicants in October and award grants in January.

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