August 2002 Bulletin

AAOS Leadership Fellows Program seeks candidates for the Class of 2003/2004

The AAOS Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) is seeking candidates for the Class of 2003/2004. Applications, which are being sought for both Fellow and Mentor positions, will be accepted up until October 1, 2002.

Established in December 2001, the LFP identifies future leaders from the younger members of AAOS who have little previous volunteer or leadership experience and prepares them to assume roles of responsibility within AAOS.

The LFP combines didactic leadership training with an ongoing mentoring program that matches the participants with an established leader within the orthopaedic community. The role of Mentor is viewed as an integral part of the LFP. As advisor and confidant to the LFP Fellow, the Mentor will foster a close professional and personal relationship with his/her Fellow that continues throughout the fellowship year and beyond.

The goals of this program are to:

• Provide formal leadership training for members of the fellowship who desire to develop their volunteer or leadership skills and become more active in the AAOS.
• Establish a formal mentoring relationship between participants and established AAOS leaders.
• Enhance skills for those members who have already assumed leadership roles with the AAOS.

The AAOS Leadership Fellows Program is unique within the medical association field. It is designed to develop a group of trained volunteers who can help lead the AAOS in the years ahead, creating a leadership legacy. The program benefits those selected as Fellows by providing them with invaluable leadership training and giving them the opportunity to build a one-to-one relationship with an experienced, senior orthopaedic leader. Here is what two participants in the Fellowship Class of 2002/2003 say about their experiences with the program:

"I think it represents a great opportunity to get to know a diverse group of true leaders in the field. The mentoring system provides a unique insight into the way successful, dynamic leaders in our field have made their career and their lives ‘work.’ The curriculum uses meetings, lectures, assigned readings and regular conference calls to foster these relationships and to delve into the interesting subject of leadership. Perhaps most importantly, the program provides an introduction and shared experience upon which important and meaningful relationships among the Fellows are sure to develop."

"I applied to the LFP hoping to learn the best ways to expand my sphere of influence within orthopaedics in the fields of ethics, education and the advancement of women, which are my foremost interests after my family and hand surgery. In the short term, instead of getting what I thought I wanted from the reading assignments, interaction with my Mentor, and face-to-face meetings with other LFP participants, I’m getting what I needed. I’m learning how to distill my values and base my priorities on them and how to say no, and I’ve been given an immensely valuable gift: the friendship and camaraderie of the other Fellows. In the long term, I’m confident that what I learn this year will help me achieve my original goals."

The LFP encompasses a one-year training process and requires a commitment by the participants—both Fellows and Mentors—to attend ALL the scheduled LFP events listed below.

• Feb. 6, 2003, AAOS Annual Meeting, New Orleans—Newly selected LFP Fellows will attend an Orientation session, be introduced to their Mentors and attend the graduation of the 2002/2003 Class of Fellows.
• March 3, 2003, LFP Training Session, Rosemont, Ill.—Fellows and Mentors will participate in a one-day program on "Leadership in Voluntary Organizations" as well as attend the AAOS Leadership Orientation Program.
• April 23-26, 2003, National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C.—LFP Fellows and Mentors will participate in this annual advocacy and legislative conference and visits to Capitol Hill. There will also be a separate LFP program on Friday, April 25.
• Sept. 12-13, 2003—LFP Fall Meeting. Fellows and Mentors will meet for 1-1/2 days of leadership training.
• March 11, 2004—LFP Class of 2004 Graduation. Class of 2003/2004 will graduate at the AAOS Annual Meeting in San Francisco and also welcome the Fellows Class of 2004/2005.
• May 2003 through Jan. 2004—Fellows and Mentors will also participate in a series of seven tele-seminars. During the sessions scheduled for May 2003, June 2003, Aug. 2003, Oct. 2003, Nov. 2003 and Jan. 2004, they will discuss LPF reading materials or a leadership issue. In advance of the July 2003 session, Fellows will complete the Meyers Briggs Assessment and during the tele-seminar an expert will provide interpretation of the assessments.

In addition to participating in these events, the Fellows are encouraged to build and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their assigned Mentors.

Travel funding

• The Academy will fund the travel and lodging expenses for LFP meetings for Fellows and Mentors, with the exception of the Annual Meeting.
• During the 2003/2004 class year the Fellows will receive funding for travel and lodging for a visit to their assigned Mentor.
• Eligibility requirements
• LFP Fellow—Fellows or Candidate members who are 45 years or younger as of January 31, 2003 are eligible to become an LFP Fellow. Up to a maximum of 15 Fellows will be selected for the Class of 2003/2004.
• LFP Mentor—AAOS Fellows who wish to become Mentors should be actively involved in the orthopaedic profession (serving on the AAOS Board, as committee or council member, Board of Councilors member, orthopaedic residency program chair/director or leader in other specialty societies), willing to devote the time necessary to serve as a Mentor and interested in developing future AAOS leaders. The selection of Mentors will be based upon the number of LFP Fellows selected (15 maximum) and the match between Mentor and Fellow in terms of education, training, professional interests and non-medical activities.

To apply for the LFP as a Fellow you must provide the following:

• A completed Leadership Fellows Program application, which is available online at http://www3.aaos.org/lfp/lfpappl.cfm.
• Two letters of recommendation from AAOS Fellows who have in-depth knowledge of the applicant’s practice and leadership skills.
• A 500-word essay describing why you wish to participate in the Leadership Fellows Program. This is your opportunity to express your thoughts on the following:
• Your interest in becoming an LFP Fellow;
• A brief description of your strengths and qualifications;
• Your potential as a future AAOS leader;
• Your personal leadership philosophy.

To apply for the LFP as a Mentor you must provide the following:

• A completed Leadership Fellows Program Mentor application, which is available online at http:// www3.aaos.org/lfp/lfpappl.cfm.
• A short statement (not to exceed 500 words) explaining your desire to be an LFP Mentor.

Submitting application materials

• Fellow applications and essays must be submitted online by Oct. 1, 2002, via the AAOS Web site.
• Fellow letters of recommendation must be submitted by Oct. 1, 2002 to the address listed below via U.S. mail, fax or e-mail. Applicants are responsible for contacting their references to ensure all letters of recommendation are received on time.
• Mentor applications and statements must be submitted online by Oct.1, 2002, via the AAOS Web site.

Send letters of recommendation and/or inquiries about the LFP to: