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 discussions address books and journal articles on healthcare inequities along with diversity and inclusion issues for the profession.

Register for our next event!

AOFAS On the Same Page: Black Fatigue
Presented in collaboration with Black Women Orthopaedic Surgeons

Wednesday, September 13
8:00 - 9:30 pm CT

Moderators: Jacqueline Nguyen, MD, and Haydee Brown, MD

Featured Book: Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters

This is the first book to define and explore Black fatigue, the intergenerational impact of systemic racism on the physical and psychological health of Black people. Mary-Frances Winters describes how in every aspect of life—from economics to education, work, criminal justice, and, very importantly, health outcomes—for the most part, the trajectory for Black people is not improving. This is a vital resource for Black and non-Black people who are looking for ways to heal, learn, and have productive and supportive conversations about racial injustice and trauma.

Attendees will discuss how systemic racism affects our Black patients and ways to provide compassionate care. While the book will be the starting point for the discussion, you do not need to read the book to participate.

AOFAS Annual Meeting Programming

AOFAS Annual Meeting 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky, includes a Medical Student Program on Thursday, September 21, and a DEI Symposium and Reception on Friday, September 22.

Thursday, September 21

9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Medical Student Program

Arrival/Check-in

Introduction and Overview of Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgery Careers

Hands-On Bioskills Lab

Lunch (provided) and Visit to the Exhibit Hall/Research Posters

Following the Medical Student Program, participants may join the afternoon portion of the Annual Meeting Scientific Program.

Friday, September 22

9:45 – 11:00 am
Symposium 6: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Moderators: Gary W. Stewart, MD, and Tonya L. Dixon, MD, MPH

Retention, Recruitment, and True Inclusion of Under-represented Minorities in Orthopaedic Surgery
Eric W. Carson, MD

Formation and Important Role of Black Women in Orthopaedic Surgery
Haydee C. Brown, MD

"Color Lining" in Medicine: Are You Holding a Crayon?
Shorye Durrett, MD

Discussion

5:15 – 6:15 pm
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Reception

 
Bioskills Workshops

In collaboration with Nth Dimensions, AOFAS holds half-day skills workshops to introduce first- and second-year URM medical students to orthopaedic surgery, specifically foot and ankle surgery.

Upcoming Events

• August 26: University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) - Register Now!
  

• October 28: Morehouse University (Atlanta, GA)
  

See our Instagram page for highlights from past workshops!

• July 16, 2022 at Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

• October 22, 2022 at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (Los Angeles, CA)