CME OnDemand: 2022 AOFAS Annual Meeting-Leadership Characteristics of Orthopaedic Surgery Foot and Ankle Fellowship Directors

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Leadership positions within the field of Orthopaedic Surgery are becoming more important as the field becomes more specialized. From 2002 to 2010, there was an increase in Residency Programs with dedicated Foot and Ankle rotations and faculty. However, the qualifications for leadership in Orthopaedic Surgical Subspecialties have been less clear. This study aims to analyze leadership in Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle programs, provide guidance for aspiring leaders in the field, and address diversity and equality.<br /><br />The results of the study suggest that certain residency and fellowship programs, such as the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program and the MedStar Union Memorial Foot and Ankle Fellowship, tend to produce more future Fellowship Directors (FDs) in Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic surgery. Research productivity was also found to be a significant factor in obtaining leadership positions within Foot and Ankle fellowships.<br /><br />However, there is a lack of diversity within the leadership of Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons. Women and minorities make up less than 10% of current FDs, with only 5.9% of FDs being women and 9.8% being minorities. This lack of diversity is a cause for concern and efforts should be made to address this disparity.<br /><br />Overall, the study provides valuable information about the characteristics and demographics of Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Fellowship Directors. The mean age of FDs is 51.27 and the mean H-index is 14.69, indicating a strong research participation within FDs. The study also highlights the importance of research productivity and the need for diversity and equality within the field of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Asset Subtitle

Henson Destine, BS, Justin J. Hicks, MD, Christopher J. Murdock, Dwayne D. Carney, Amiethad A. Aiyer, MD, MaCalus V. Hogan, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FAOA

Keywords

Orthopaedic Surgery

specialized field

Residency Programs

Foot and Ankle rotations

leadership qualifications

Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle programs

diversity and equality

Fellowship Directors

research productivity

demographics of Fellowship Directors