The AOFAS represents 1,985 orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons in the US, Canada and throughout the world. Its members are dedicated to advancing orthopaedic knowledge pertaining to conditions of the foot and ankle and to providing quality care to patients.

 

The AOFAS values its members and looks forward to your participation as either a new or elevating member. The Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin, or on any basis that would constitute illegal discrimination.

 

Before you submit an application, please review the Benefits of Membership to discover the key opportunities available at each membership level that advance with you throughout your career.

 

View membership categories and criteria listed at the bottom of this page, then download the appropriate form (PDF format) below.  NOTE: The Active Member, Associate Member - Osteopathic, Candidate Member, and International Member forms are being revised and will be reposted to this section by mid-July. To request an application form until reposted below, please contact Lois Bierman at LBierman@aofas.org. 

Completed applications – including all required elements – for new and elevating members are presented for review to the Membership Committee. Its recommendation is then provided to the Board of Directors which will vote to accept your application. Finally, your name will be presented to the AOFAS voting members for their approval during the next AOFAS Business Meeting.

 

January 1 - for presentation at the AOFAS Business Meeting during Specialty Day which takes place in February or March

June 1 – for presentation at the AOFAS Business Meeting during the AOFAS Annual Meeting held in June or July

 

Membership is considered “current” when annual dues are paid. Non-payment of dues by March 1 will result in suspension of all member privileges pending full payment. Members who have not paid dues by May 1 will be dropped from membership. Reinstatement will require a new application and fee payment. Resident and Fellow Members are required to apply to elevate to Candidate Member (or International Member when appropriate) by January 1 of the year immediately following completion of training. Failure to do so will result in suspension of member benefits.

 

For Active, Associate, Candidate and International Members: The public seeking an orthopaedic foot and ankle doctor will be provided, on the website at www.aofas.org, with your practice/facility name, work address and telephone number as well as your website address if provided in your Member Profile. You may opt out of this membership benefit upon request.

 

All AOFAS members who are current in payment of annual dues will have online access to all other current members on log-in to the AOFAS website. Contact information will include work addresses and telephone numbers, website address, e-mail address, and home and cellular telephone numbers, if approved for release by each member. E-mail addresses and home information are never shared with the public or any other third parties.

 

The AOFAS occasionally rents its member work postal mail address listing to providers of medical products and services that may be of interest to members. Each request is considered individually for appropriateness. List rental provides income for Society operations. E-mail addresses are never provided.

  

 

Active Members shall be medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) who have demonstrated their knowledge and training in orthopaedic surgery by obtaining certification by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS); shall be Active Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS); shall have an interest in the advancement of orthopaedic knowledge of treatment and conditions of the foot and ankle; and shall be practicing orthopaedic surgery.

 

Associate Members - Osteopathic shall be doctors of osteopathy (DO) who have demonstrated their knowledge and training in orthopaedic surgery by obtaining certification by the American Osteopathic Board of  Orthopedic Surgery; shall be Associate Members - Osteopathic of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; shall have an interest in the advancement of orthopaedic knowledge of treatment and conditions of the foot and ankle; shall be practicing orthopaedic surgery.

Active Members or Associate Members - Osteopathic may submit documentation showing they are on active military duty. During their term(s) of service, all Active Member or Associate Member - Osteopathic privileges remain and the dues rate will be reduced beginning the year after application is made. Following service, Active or Associate - Osteopathic Members will be reinstated to their previous membership category and will return to paying full Member dues.

 

Candidate Members shall be medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) and graduates of orthopaedic residency programs who are board-eligible and intend to pursue certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Candidate Members shall be Candidate Members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; shall have an interest in the advancement of orthopaedic knowledge of treatment and conditions of the foot and ankle; and shall be practicing orthopaedic surgery. The Candidate Membership category shall be limited to five years following completion of training, including postgraduate fellowships.

 

Upon obtaining board certification and election to Active Fellowship  or Associate Member - Osteopathic in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Candidate Members shall notify the Society and request elevation to Active Membership or Associate Member - Osteopathic as appropriate.

 

Candidate Members may submit documentation showing they are on active military duty. During their term(s) of service, all Candidate Member privileges remain and the dues rate will be reduced beginning the year after application is made. Following service, Candidate Members/Military will be reinstated to the Candidate Member status and will return to paying the Candidate Member dues.

 

International Members shall be fully trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeons, where applicable, practicing outside of the United States who desire membership and educational opportunities within the AOFAS. International Members shall be members in good standing of the Orthopaedic Society in their own country and shall have an interest in the advancement of orthopaedic knowledge of treatment and conditions of the foot and ankle. International Members are eligible to serve on committees, but may not vote, hold office or serve on the Board of Directors.

 

Fellow Members shall be medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) or orthopaedic surgeons outside of the U.S., who are board-eligible and intend to pursue certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery or the orthopaedic board in their country if outside the U.S., where applicable; are currently enrolled in a foot and ankle fellowship program; are Resident Members of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons if in training in the U.S.; and have an interest in the advancement of orthopaedic knowledge of treatment and conditions of the foot and ankle. Fellow Members may serve as ex-officio members on select committees of the Society, but shall not vote or hold office. Fellowship Membership does not extend beyond the year of completion of fellowship training. If additional years of fellowship training are taken, verification must be provided by each fellowship program director.

 

Resident Members shall be medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO), or orthopaedic surgeons outside the U.S. who are currently enrolled in an orthopaedic surgery training program; are Resident Members of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons if in training in the U.S; and have an interest in the advancement of orthopaedic knowledge of treatment and conditions of the foot and ankle. Resident Members may serve as ex-officio members on select committees of the Society but shall not vote or hold office.

 

The Board of Directors may confer Emeritus Membership upon Active Members and Associate Members - Osteopathic who have fully retired from the practice of medicine and who so request this change in membership status. Under special circumstances and at its discretion, the Board of Directors may confer Emeritus Membership upon Active Members and Associate Members - Osteopathic who no longer perform surgery for remuneration but who have not fully retired from active practice. Eligibility for Emeritus Membership shall lapse upon the Emeritus Member’s return to the active practice of medicine or upon change in the circumstances qualifying the member for Emeritus status. The Emeritus Member shall have the affirmative obligation to notify the Secretary of the Society of any such change in status. Upon such notice, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, reconvert the Emeritus Member to Active Membership or Associate Member - Osteopathic. Requests for Emeritus Membership shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Society. Following confirmation of eligibility by the Membership Committee, action by the Board of Directors on requests for Emeritus Membership shall take place. Emeritus Members shall not pay dues, hold office, vote or serve on committees of the Society. Applicants for Emeritus Membership shall continue to pay dues for Active Membership or Associate Member - Osteopathic privileges until their application for change in status is approved by the Board of Directors.

 

Honorary Members shall be physicians, educators and researchers who have made special contributions in the field of foot and ankle care, and are ineligible for Active Membership. The Board of Directors shall consider proposals for Honorary Membership, and if approved, the individual shall be recommended to the membership for invitation for Honorary Membership. Honorary members shall be ineligible to vote or hold office, and shall not pay dues.

 

 

Membership Information:

Lois Bierman

Director of Membership & Marketing

847-384-4382