Highlighting the leaders
shaping the future of academic orthopaedics
Each month, the AOC Leadership Profile Series highlights three leaders from across our consortium who are shaping departments, influencing culture, and advancing patient care in meaningful ways. Through candid reflections on strategy, challenges, mentorship, AI, and even their favorite “snowed-in” binge watch, this series offers a rare look inside the mindset of those leading academic orthopaedics forward.
At the AOC, we believe the collective wisdom of our membership is one of our greatest assets. By sharing stories, lessons learned, and perspectives across institutions, we strengthen the entire network.
We are proud to feature this month’s leaders and grateful for the trust they place in our community.
Aaron J. Krych, MD
Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery;
John and Posy Krehbiel Professor of Orthopedic Surgery Honoring Bernard F. Morrey, M.D;
Professor of Orthopedic Surgery;
Professor of Regenerative Medicine;
Mayo Clinic
Team Physician
Minnesota Timberwolves
Dr. Aaron Krych brings a clear leadership philosophy to academic orthopaedics: eliminate friction so teams can focus on meaningful work. In this profile, he reflects on protecting a high-performance culture while investing deeply in people, leadership development, and innovation. He outlines three forward-looking priorities — delivering an A+ patient experience, building a differentiated and future-ready practice, and sustaining excellence without burnout. His perspective on AI as “augmented intelligence” reinforces a central theme: using technology to give clinicians time back for patients, teaching, and discovery.
Amanda Olderog, MHA
Senior Director of Operations, Ortho, Spine, Wound Care and Surgical Services
University of Colorado Hospital
Amanda Olderog oversees a $29M operating portfolio across 12 outpatient clinics at UCHealth, leading multidisciplinary teams across orthopedics and surgical services. In this month’s profile, she shares candid insight into one of academic medicine’s biggest operational pressures — OR access — and how thoughtful site-of-care alignment drives efficiency and provider productivity.
She also reflects on a transformative leadership achievement: restoring culture and engagement in a struggling clinic, improving employee engagement from 29% to 98% within one year.
Amanda’s reflections on mentorship, collaboration, and structured peer dialogue offer practical guidance for leaders across the AOC network.
Xavier Rivera
Director, Academic Medical Centers Customer Solutions
DePuy Synthes
Xavier Rivera works to strengthen collaboration between industry and academic medical centers, focusing on education, innovation, and strategic partnership. In this month’s profile, he discusses the opportunity to streamline pathways for evaluating new technologies within AMCs, expand access to educational resources, and leverage AI to personalize learning for surgeons and trainees.
Known for his ability to build authentic relationships across complex stakeholder groups, Xavier offers a thoughtful perspective on how industry and academic leaders can work together more efficiently to advance patient care.