Celebrating 20 Years of AOC Connect

“I still remember our first meeting at the Washington Duke Inn over a decade ago. The lessons I took from that gathering have stayed with me through five CEOs and four institutional name changes. Remarkable.

The AOC has been an invaluable partner throughout my 11-year tenure as Chair. It offers something rare in academic medicine: a real playbook for navigating the growing complexity of leading an orthopaedic department in a “do more with less” world.

No matter the size or setting of your program, we all face similar challenges. AOC provides access to a trusted network of colleagues who’ve tackled these challenges head-on—and are willing to share what works. Mike’s vision has created a community greater than the sum of its parts, one that empowers us to improve care delivery, support our teams, and prepare the next generation of orthopaedic leaders.

Thank you, Mike, for your leadership—and thank you to AOC for making us all stronger.”

“As a young department Administrator, I constantly asked myself, “How would a seasoned CAO approach this?” I needed peers who understood the unique challenges of orthopaedics—not just healthcare. That’s when I met Dr. Regis O’Keefe and Ron Faulbam during their visit to our Orthopaedic Center in Utah. Ron, a tenured CAO, recommended I connect with Mike Gagnon and get involved with AOC.

My first AOC meeting in Charleston was transformative. Every topic was relevant to my role, and I left with pages of notes I’d reference for years. But the real value was the relationships. I gained five career-changing mentors—CAOs from top programs—who guided me through critical leadership moments. Their advice gave me insight, credibility, and the confidence to lead.

Today, I run an international pediatric medical group, but I continue my AOC membership—not just to stay sharp for my orthopaedic teams, but because the network remains invaluable. The AOC shaped my career, enhanced my operations, and made me the leader I am today.

Thank you, Mike, for your vision. The AOC’s impact has been nothing short of tremendous.”

“The AOC provides leaders within the academic orthopaedic community with an unparalleled platform to cultivate professional relationships, gain valuable mentorship, exchange insights with peers, and collaboratively address shared challenges. Members also benefit from exclusive access to comprehensive national data, empowering them to make well-informed, strategic decisions. A highlight of the AOC experience is the Annual Business Symposium—a prestigious gathering that convenes many of the most influential and forward-thinking figures in orthopaedic leadership. This signature event serves as a dynamic forum for exploring the most urgent and complex issues in academic medicine, often likened to the orthopaedic community’s equivalent of an Oscars after-party in both its prestige and networking potential. Ultimately, the AOC fosters a strong, supportive network that accompanies members throughout their professional journey, encouraging growth, innovation, and excellence at every stage.”

“Congratulations to Michael and the AOC. I started coming [to the AOC Symposium] when I was named Chair and found the experience to be fantastic, helpful and beneficial. The AOC significantly shortens the learning curve on how to be a good chair and run a successful department.“

“For the last 20 years our membership in AOC has been pivotal for helping advance many initiatives including our compensation plan, DME initiatives, development of our business leaders and much more. It’s also incredible to be able to attend such an annual meeting with key members of my administrative team as a creative opportunity and team building investment.  Value of AOA is off the chart for our department and leadership team.”

“Congratulations Mike! What an impact you have made toward helping all of us do a better job running our departments and doing what we all became Chairs for to begin with, helping our faculty achieve what they desire professionally, in order to better serve our patients and communities. Thanks for all that you do.”

“Congratulations to the AOC on your 20th Celebration. The critical educational resources and supportive network has afforded me great friendships over my career. From the Women’s Forum to AOC Annual Meetings the content goes unmatched. I’m truly grateful to the handful of organizations that met together in the boardroom all those years ago (Duke, Penn, Wake Forest) and set the path forward for me and many others just like me. Cheers to 20 more!”

“One of the greatest advantages of AOC membership is the incredible diversity of orthopaedic programs represented across the country. This breadth means every member can find peer institutions with similar structures or challenges—making it easier to collaborate, compare models, and refine programs. Each year, we use the compensation and specialty reports to drive continuous improvement and increase faculty satisfaction. And when we need to explore new practice patterns or gather insights quickly, the ability to connect with AOC members within a day on AOC Connect saves us time and accelerates our decision-making.“

“Congratulations to the Academic Orthopaedic Consortium (AOC) on its 20th anniversary – what an incredible resource it has become for our professional community! The annual conference is, without question, the most directly relevant annual professional event for our leadership teams. In addition, the year-round lectures and networking opportunities mean that we are all just one email or call away from a friendly peer and the opportunity to plug into best practices from around the nation. Here’s to another 20 years of AOC facilitated connectedness across our incredible community!”

“Being a part of the AOC has significantly enriched my academic journey and personal development, while also positively impacting many of my peers. This society brings together leaders who are passionate about medicine, public health, and overall well-being, offering resources and experiences that prepare us for the future.

The society has provided mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to experiences I wouldn’t have found on my own. I’ve learned valuable skills and have had collaborations with others in the academic community. The AOC has cultivated a sense of purpose and belonging among leaders committed to making a difference in the health field. It’s a community that empowers future healthcare professionals to grow, give back, and support one another every step of the way.“

“New Yorker business columnist James Surowiecki wrote The Wisdom of Crowds—a book grounded in the idea that large groups of people are often smarter than a select few, no matter how brilliant. They collaborate better, solve problems more effectively, foster innovation, and even predict the future more accurately.

Michael Gagnon is AOC’s ‘crowd gatherer,’ and his impact on academic orthopaedics has spanned more than two decades. Under his leadership, AOC’s focus on leadership development and the business of medicine has delivered an incredible return on investment for those of us committed to learning and growing throughout our careers.

Mike embodies the qualities of a Level 5 Leader, as described by Jim Collins in Good to Great—someone we admire and deeply respect. Despite ongoing headwinds, I truly believe our future is bright with Mike at the helm.”