Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The AOFAS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Initiative was established in 2021 to:

• conduct an assessment of the current AOFAS environment

• identify ways to address DEI issues in the workplace and in patient care

• work toward increased representation of under-represented minorities (URM) in foot and ankle orthopaedics as a profession as well as in AOFAS leadership roles.

The DEI Committee reports directly to the AOFAS Board of Directors with representation from the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation Board of Directors as well.

AOFAS Members, please help the DEI Committee by participating in the Member Census. Go to your Member Profile and update the information in "My Demographics" (under My Account Links).

Current Programs

AOFAS On the Same Page

These quarterly discussions will address books and journal articles on healthcare inequities along with diversity and inclusion issues for the profession. Programming will include small group breakout discussions and guest speakers where appropriate.

Save the Date for our next event!

Wednesday, October 12
8:00 - 9:30 pm CT

Bioskills Workshops

In collaboration with Nth Dimensions, AOFAS will hold two half-day workshops to introduce first- and second-year URM medical students to orthopaedic surgery, specifically foot and ankle surgery. The program addresses curricular defects in orthopaedic surgery and targets early exposure of first- and second-year URM medical students to increase the diversity of the AOFAS surgeon workforce through early mentoring.

Registration is now open for the July workshop!

Saturday, July 16
10:00 am - 2:00 pm ET
Emory Musculoskeletal Institute
Atlanta, Georgia

Register Now

Save the date for the October workshop!

Saturday, October 22
Phoenix, Arizona

Details coming soon!

AOFAS Annual Meeting Programming

AOFAS Annual Meeting 2022 will include a DEI Symposium followed by a reception. This year's symposium is headlined by Tara Houska, a tribal attorney, land defender, and environmental and Indigenous rights advocate.

Nth Dimensions Summer Internship Program

AOFAS will sponsor one first-year medical student to complete an eight-week internship with an experienced AOFAS member. The student will also attend the National Medical Association Meeting, where they will present research from the internship. Support will continue through USMLE Step 1 board preparation and ongoing mentorship.