AAOS Career Podcast

This episode explores the AAOS Annual Meeting from the perspective of orthopedic Residents and Attendings, highlighting the academic and social experiences that make it the premier event of the year for musculoskeletal healthcare professionals. 

Host Dr. Rex Lutz is joined by Dr. David Kantrowitz and Dr. Jaehon Kim, who share their memorable moments from past meetings — from presenting research to global audiences to receiving recognition for innovative surgical technique videos to reconnecting with colleagues. They discuss the benefits of institutions sending their entire Chief Resident class and how the meeting fosters professional development, collaboration, and lifelong connections.

Host: Dr. Rex Lutz, Sports Medicine Specialist
Guests: Dr. David Kantrowitz, Sports Medicine Fellow; Dr. Jaehon Kim , Hand and Microvascular Surgeon, Director of Hand & Upper Extremity Fellowship, Mount Sinai

This episode introduces the AAOS LaunchPad program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at guiding orthopaedic residents as they transition into fellowship and early career practice. Host Dr. Rex Lutz is joined by Dr. Valerie Lewis, Chair of the AAOS Membership Council, and Dr. Max McQuaid, a hand surgery fellow and member of the inaugural LaunchPad cohort. Together, they discuss the personalized mentorship component—which connects younger members with both early- and late-career surgeons—the curated resources for board preparation, career planning, and financial education, as well as the networking and leadership opportunities available at the AAOS annual meeting. The conversation covers how LaunchPad supports specialty interests, organizes small group sessions, and collects participant feedback to constantly refine its offerings. The episode wraps up with application guidance and encouragement for residents to engage in the next LaunchPad cohort, emphasizing the program’s positive impact on preparing for a successful start in orthopedic practice.

Host: Dr. Rex Lutz, AAOS Career Podcast
Guests: Dr. Valerie Lewis, Chair, AAOS Membership Council; Dr. Max McQuaid, Hand Surgery Fellow, Rutgers University Hospital

This episode delves into the integral role of research in orthopedic residency and early career development. Dr. Dustin Greenhill, a nationally recognized pediatric orthopedic surgeon and active researcher at St. Luke’s University Health Network, discusses his unconventional path from West Point to medicine, and how hands-on research experiences shaped his focus within orthopedics. He shares insights on motivating trainees, building productive research teams, and overcoming common barriers to launching and completing meaningful projects, especially in environments with limited resources. Dr. Greenhill also emphasizes the personal and professional rewards of mentoring residents and medical students, turning academic challenges into lasting collaborations and career-defining moments.

Host: Dr. Rex Lutz, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly Executive Committee
Guest: Dr. Dustin Greenhill, Associate Program Director, St. Luke's University Health Network

This episode explores the meaning of leadership within orthopaedic surgery, offering invaluable insights from Dr. Stephen Gitelis, Rush Medical College Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Oncology and recipient of the 2025 William W. Tipton Jr. Leadership Award. Dr. Gitelis reflects on his five-decade career at Rush, where he launched and grew one of the largest sarcoma programs in the region, and shares lessons learned from key mentors, the value of mentorship, and the importance of the “3 A’s” of leadership—ability, availability, and affability. He also discusses the evolution of limb salvage surgery, advances in 3D-printed implants and infection prevention, as well as his experiences leading both in academic medicine and the US Navy. Listeners will gain practical advice on developing leadership skills, the significance of volunteerism, and how to inspire the next generation of orthopaedic oncologists.

Host: Dr. Rex Lutz, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly Executive Committee
Guest: Dr. Stephen Gitelis, Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Oncology, Rush Medical College

This episode dives into the job-hunting process using the brand-new orthopaedic job exploration platform, ACCELERATE by AAOS. MedGeo Executive Vice President Jarod Collins explains how the interactive, map-based platform helps connect AAOS members with over 13,500 employers across the country in one easy to use tool. The conversation covers key factors to consider when choosing a job, the importance of mentorship and leveraging your network, as well as job searching techniques and current market trends.

Learn more about ACCELERATE by AAOS: https://www.aaos.org/accelerate

View FAQ about the platform: https://resources.accelerate.aaos.org/

Host: Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly

Guest: Jarod Collins, Executive Vice President, MedGeo Ventures

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently went through a comprehensive multi-year process to re-imagine its core focus and aspirational state to be the trusted leaders in advancing musculoskeletal health. Members of the AAOS Presidential Line provide behind-the-scenes perspective that explores the need for change, and how these changes provide a foundation for greater collaboration, innovation, learning opportunities and benefits for current and future members, patients and the larger musculoskeletal community.

More on AAOS’ proposed governance changes: https://www.aaos.org/about/meet-aaos/proposed-governance-changes/

Moving Forward: AAOS Board of Directors Approves New Strategic Plan, (AAOS Now, April 2024): https://www.aaos.org/aaosnow/2024/march-april/commentary/commentary01/  

Look Towards the Future, (AAOS Now, August 2024), https://www.aaos.org/aaosnow/2024/aug/youraaos/youraaos01

Host: 

Valerae O. Lewis, MD, FAAOS, AAOS Membership Council Chair 

Guests: 

Paul Tornetta III, MD, PhD, FAAOS, AAOS President  

Annunziato (Ned) Amendola, MD, FAAOS, AAOS First Vice President  

Joel Mayerson, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, AAOS Board of Councilors Chair

Healthcare executive Paul Bruning discusses the recent ban on noncompete agreements and what the historic rule means for the future of musculoskeletal care. He talks about the reasoning behind the restrictive clauses and unlocked opportunities for innovation and industry competition.

Host: Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly 

Guest: Paul Bruning, Service Line Director, Sutter Health 

This episode features a provocative discussion about diversity in medicine and the importance of cross collaboration between public and private practice. Microbiologist and FDA leader RDML Raquel Peat shares lessons on transformational leadership and why diversity in thought, background, training, geography, and research are critical to improving public health and advancing the field of orthopaedics.

Host: Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly

Guest: RDML Raquel Peat, PhD, MPH, Director, Office of Orthopedic Devices, FDA

Partnerships between orthopaedic surgeons and industry can have educational value and lead to improvements in patient care. Sometimes, however, the line between supportive funds and funds to promote a particular product can be blurred. This episode dives into considerations for ensuring these relationships provide value, benefit the patient, and comply with applicable laws.

Related episode, Episode 16, Ideas and Innovation in Orthopaedics: https://www.aaos.org/publications/the-bone-beat-orthopaedic-podcast-channel/career-podcast/episode-16/

AAOS Device Recall Dashboard: https://www.aaos.org/quality/healthcare-safety/device-recall-dashboard/

Guest: Jonathan Dubin, MD, FAAOS, AAOS Healthcare Safety Committee

Host: Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly

In this episode, recorded live at the AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting, public speaking and media performance consultant, Kathryn Janicek, explains how surgeons’ executive presence is critical to inspiring confidence and trust in the field. The three-time Emmy Award-winning TV executive offers practical guidance for leveraging your expertise to promote your personal brand and your practice.

Guest: Kathryn Janicek, Public Speaking and Media Performance Consultant

Host: Mikalyn DeFoor, MD, Chair, AAOS Resident Assembly