AOAO members are encouraged to nominate another member, or self-nominate, for these new awards. Access to the award forms is member protected. Click here if you forgot your log in.
The award nominations process is now closed.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader recipient will be selected by the AOAO Foundation Board based on AOAO membership in good standing, community service and hospital and/or community leadership.
The award is presented at the Annual Fall Meeting during the AOAO Awards Ceremony. The recipient must be present to receive the award. Included with the award will be complimentary meeting registration, recognition in The Orthopod and a plaque.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award
The recipient will be selected from among submitted nominations by at least one Foundation Board member and one Women’s Orthopedic Section Board member.
Selection Criteria:
- An influential orthopedic AOAO member who has demonstrated leadership within the AOAO or other orthopedic academies, the medical community and/or medical education.
- An AOAO member who has shown commitment to empowering the advancement of women in orthopedics, as well as supporting orthopedists in the name of diversity, equality, and inclusion through mentorship and scholarly activity.
- An AOAO member with a philanthropic spirit, active engagement in a non-profit organization, and a positive impact on the community through acts of service.
The recipient of the award will receive a recognition plaque and $1,000 to be paid to the non-profit or service project of their choice.
Outstanding Student Scholarship
The AOAO Foundation Board of Directors created the Outstanding Student Scholarship to recognize an AOAO student member for activities and involvement within their college of osteopathic medicine as well as their various volunteer services, leadership roles, and research projects.
Outstanding Resident Paper Award
The Outstanding Resident Paper Award recipient will be selected from the abstracts submitted for the AOAO Annual Meeting. The resident receiving the overall highest score will be selected based on the scoring of the Residents and Fellows Committee. The recipient will receive a plaque, recognition at the Annual Meeting and a monetary award of $500. The recipient is notified early August.
Past Foundation Award Recipients
Emerging Leader Award
- 2024 Joshua A. Tuck, DO, FAOAO
- 2023 Timothy Beals, DO
- 2022 Meagan Fernandez, DO, FAOAO
- 2021 James Nace, DO, FAOAO
- 2020 Sean McMillan, DO, FAOAO
- 2019 Katherine Sage, DO, FAOAO
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award
- 2023 Olivia E. Morris, DO, FAOAO
Outstanding Resident Paper Award
- 2024 Landon Reading, DO – Cleveland Clinic
- 2023 Adrian Olson, DO – St. John Providence Health System
- 2022 Elizabeth Ford, DO – Rowan/Inspira Health Residency Program
- 2021 Loren C. Tholcke, DO – Riverside County Regional Medical Center
- 2020 Nicholas Frane, DO – Plainview Hospital
Outstanding Student Scholarship
- 2024 Cesar A. Ramirez
- 2023 Zachary Thier
- 2022 Emily Kelly
- 2021 Tyler Hunt
- 2020 Andrew Ardeljan
- 2019 Michael Schloss