Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve AOSSM in a number of different roles. Sports medicine continues to change, but one thing has remained constant: AOSSM has always been committed to advancing our subspecialty through research, education, and the willingness of members to invest in one another.
As I begin my term as President, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about where the Society is headed next. AOSSM is in a strong position today, but our responsibility is not simply to maintain what we have built. It is to ensure our Society is even stronger 10 and 20 years from now. That is what I mean by Securing the Future.
Over the coming year, that theme will serve as a framework for many of the conversations we will have as a Society. We are welcoming a new CEO and developing a new strategic plan. We are continuing to expand our membership, including opportunities to engage AOA CORD residents earlier in their careers. We are navigating new challenges facing team physicians, from the evolving landscape of NIL to increasing liability concerns. And we are doing all of this while recognizing the financial pressures affecting healthcare and the need to remain good stewards of our resources.
I was fortunate to participate in the search for our new CEO, Corey Parker, MPA, and have enjoyed helping him become acquainted with AOSSM over the past several months. Leadership transitions are important for any organization, and I’m excited to work alongside him, our Board, our volunteers, and our Professional Staff as we continue building on the strong foundation that is already in place.
One thing I hope you will see throughout this year is the level of thought and commitment that goes into those conversations. We have an active, engaged Board that cares deeply about this Society and about delivering value to our members. Every discussion comes back to the same question: What can we do today that will strengthen AOSSM tomorrow?
That same thinking is what led to the launch of Strive for Five: Securing the Future of AOSSM. This campaign is certainly about generating resources, but it is really about something much larger. The way professional societies are supported continues to change. Our corporate partners remain invaluable, but they face many of the same economic challenges we do. Member dues alone cannot support every opportunity before us. If we want AOSSM to continue leading in research, education, advocacy, and lifelong learning, we have to invest in our own future.
We have seen the return on those investments before. One example that resonates with me personally is the Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS). Early support from AOSSM helped get that work off the ground, providing the foundation that ultimately led to NIH funding. The knowledge generated through that study has influenced patient care around the world. It is a powerful reminder that investing in promising ideas today can improve the care we provide for years to come.
Perhaps the most lasting impact of Strive for Five will be strengthening a culture of giving within AOSSM. Throughout my career, I have watched many respected colleagues generously support organizations that advanced our profession. I believe we have an opportunity to make that same commitment part of the fabric of AOSSM. Through initiatives such as the Champions Circle, we can build a tradition of giving that helps sustain the Society for future generations.
Of course, securing the future isn’t measured only by financial support. It is reflected every time a member volunteers for a committee, mentors a young colleague, teaches a course, participates in research, or shares their experience with someone facing a difficult clinical decision.
Looking back, I realize how much of my own career was shaped by people who were always willing to take a phone call. Whether I was working through a challenging case, navigating new opportunities as a team physician, or simply looking for advice, there was always someone willing to help. Those conversations influenced my career in ways that are difficult to measure, and they remind me that each of us has the opportunity, and the responsibility, to do the same for someone else.
That is why I would encourage members, especially those who are early in their careers, to get involved. Raise your hand and volunteer for a committee or participate in research. You will find that the return is far greater than the time you invest. Some of my closest relationships and many of the opportunities that have shaped my career began by simply becoming involved in AOSSM.
Throughout this year, I will use these letters to share the work your Board is doing to position AOSSM for the future, from leadership development and research to advocacy, education, and the evolving role of the team physician. My hope is that the decisions we make today ensure future generations find those same opportunities here.
