AOAO Awards

In 2020, the AOAO Humanitarian Award was created to recognize an Academy member who demonstrated a broad impact upon humanity and whose leadership and outstanding humanitarian volunteerism have improved the quality of life of individuals locally, nationally or worldwide.

The award honors individuals who exemplify the compassionate nature of the osteopathic orthopedic profession by actively expressing a commitment to humanity and exhibiting admirable degrees of selflessness in addressing key health concerns. The inspirational endeavors completed by this award’s recipients will establish a foundation to provide ongoing value and benefit to their patients and the public at large.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the AOAO Humanitarian Award all nominees must:
• Be active AOAO members in good standing at the time of nomination and selection.
• Include a detailed record of their activity that spans a period of at least 1 year preceding the nomination submission
• The AOAO Humanitarian Award is open to active, military, retired, life, student, resident or members in fellowship training.

Criteria for Selection
Member efforts should be of exceptional value while meeting one or more of the following criteria:

Extraordinary Humanitarian Services and
Volunteerism
These are activities initiated by the AOAO member nominee, working alone or in association with others, to help improve the quality of life of individuals, including but not limited to the following:
• Survivors and/or victims' families after a significant event such as a natural or person-induced disaster, a national or international incident, a civil war, or a forced migration
• A community of any size in which long-term political, economic, social, and/or other circumstances have caused movement impairments for a substantial portion of that community
Advancement of Osteopathic Orthopedics
These activities exemplify core values of osteopathic orthopedics and are applied to actively address major health concerns on domestic and/or international levels.

Establishment of Legacy
These are sustainable activities that benefit humanity; they must demonstrate advocacy for promoting greater quality of life and expansive reach.

What Recipients Receive
Nominees will be reviewed by the Fellow Award, Honors and Memorials Committee who will present their recommendations to the AOAO Board of Directors for their approval. If applicable, an award will be presented to the selected recipient(s) at the Awards Ceremony during the Annual Fall Meeting on the date following the deadline for nomination. Selected recipient(s) will also be recognized and asked to submit an article for The Orthopod. The Academy will also donate $1,000, in their name, to the recipient’s charitable organization.

Since 1955 an Appreciative Award has been selected by the President and presented annually to a member of the profession who has made an outstanding contribution preferably related to Orthopedics.

Appreciative Award Winners

In 2002 the Bob Green Award was established by the Board of Directors, in memory of Dr. Robert L. Green who served for years as a member and then chairman of the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. This award is given annually to a member of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics who achieved the highest combined score in the written and oral certification examinations for the prior year.

Bob Green Memorial Award Winners

In 1991 a Donald Siehl Appreciative Award was established with Dr. Siehl being the first recipient. This award is presented to a member who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has made a major contribution and commitment to the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics during his/her professional career. The Donald Siehl appreciative award is the highest award granted by the Academy and is given only upon meeting the above criteria.

Donald Siehl Appreciative Award Winners

The Morton J. Morris DO, JD Award for Osteopathic Orthopedic Education Winners