Diversity Advisory Board
AAHKS created the Diversity Advisory Board (DAB) as a resource for increasing diversity and inclusion among the membership and leadership of the organization.
Objectives:
- Increase diversity among AAHKS membership.
- Build mentorship programs for minority students, residents, fellows and attending surgeons.
- Provide a venue to encourage academic and personal growth for minorities in total joint arthroplasty.
- Prepare those with leadership aspirations for such opportunities within AAHKS.
Mission: The Diversity Advisory Board shall serve as a steering group to oversee programs that provide mentorship, professional development, and engagement for the diverse membership of AAHKS.
AAHKS Diversity Award
The AAHKS Diversity Award recognizes AAHKS members who are distinguished in their commitment to making hip and knee arthroplasty more diverse and more accessible to all patients. This award is presented each year at the AAHKS Annual Meeting. All applications for the 2023 year must be submitted by Friday, September 1st.
Candidates for this award will be considered based on the following contributions to the field:
- Actively working to increase the number of women and/or underrepresented minorities entering the field of hip and knee arthroplasty
- Mentoring and sponsoring female and/or underrepresented minorities for leadership within AAHKS
- Actively working to eliminate disparities in arthroplasty care through education, research, and/or community engagement
- Supporting legislation and health policy changes that support access to care for underserved patients
- Making a lasting impact on diversity in arthroplasty
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an AAHKS Fellow or Emeritus member in good standing
- Must be nominated by a sponsor
Who May Sponsor a Nominee?
- AAHKS Fellow, Candidate, or Arthroplasty-in-Training members in good standing
Muyibat A. Adelani, MD, Co-Chair: Research Committee Liaison
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Muyibat A. Adelani, MD Muyibat Adelani, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon in Saint Louis, Missouri who specializes in the management of hip and knee problems, including hip and knee replacement surgery. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California and her medical degree at Vanderbilt University. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at Washington University in Saint Louis and a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Stanford University. Dr. Adelani serves as the liaison for AAHKS Research Committee. For more information on the committee and to review committee charges, responsibilities and terms, please click here. |
Adam A. Sassoon, MD, MS, Co-Chair: Program Committee Liaison
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Obinna O. Adigweme, MD, MS: Patient and Public Relations Committee Liaison
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Obinna O. Adigweme, MD, MS Dr. Obinna Adigweme completed orthopaedic surgery residency at Orlando Health. He then completed adult reconstruction fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Adigweme is in private practice in Orlando, FL. He is an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and faculty preceptor for Orlando Health orthopaedic residency program. Dr. Adigweme serves as the liaison for AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee. For more information on the committee and to review committee charges, responsibilities and terms, please click here. |
Alex Betech, MD: Digital Health and Social Media Committee Liaison
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Alex Betech, MD Dr. Alex Betech is from Mexico City, where he received his medical degree. After he completed a General Surgery internship, a research fellowship in Orthopaedics, and a Limb Lengthening and Deformity Correction fellowship in the U.S., he returned to Mexico to complete his Orthopedic Surgery residency. He came back to the U.S. to complete two more fellowships in Pediatric Orthopedics and Adult Reconstruction. He currently has an appointment as Associate Professor in Orthopedics at the Louisiana State University, where he focuses in Adult Reconstruction including primary hip and knee replacements and complex revision cases. Dr. Betech serves as the liaison for AAHKS Digital Health and Social Media Committee. For more information on the committee and to review committee charges, responsibilities and terms, please click here. |
Rinelda M. Horton, MD: Women in Arthroplasty (WIA) Liaison
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Rinelda M. Horton, MD Dr. Rinelda Horton is an orthopaedic surgeon with Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic Medical Group in the Washington Metropolitan Area. She has been with the Permanente group for 17 years. Prior to that, she was in private practice in North Carolina for 10 years specializing in joint replacement surgery. Dr. Horton completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University followed by medical school and residency at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She completed an adult reconstruction fellowship at University Hospitals of Cleveland. She is currently a member of WOGO ( Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach), Gladden Society and Women in Arthroplasty. She is married and has a son who’s in college. Dr. Horton serves as the liaison for AAHKS Women in Arthroplasty (WIA) Committee. For more information on the committee and to review committee charges, responsibilities and terms, please click here. |
Ugo N. Ihekweazu, MD: Education Committee Liaison
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Ugo N. Ihekweazu, MD Ugo N. Ihekweazu, MD, is an adult reconstructive surgeon with the Fondren Orthopedic Group at Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston. He completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine and Adult Reconstruction fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is a voluntary clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston College of Medicine. Dr. Ihekweazu serves as the liaison for AAHKS Education Committee. For more information on the committee and to review committee charges, responsibilities and terms, please click here. |
Zachary C. Lum, DO
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Zachary C. Lum, DO Dr. Lum is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in adult joint reconstruction. He completed an orthopaedic surgery internship at Henry Ford Health Systems in Detroit, MI and orthopaedic surgery residency at Valley Consortium for Medical Education at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, California. After completing residency, he fulfilled a full Adult Joint Reconstruction fellowship at University of California: Davis Medical Center and stayed on as faculty for a number of years. Recently, he has moved to South Florida to practice and is Clinical Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University: College of Osteopathic Medicine. For more information on the committee and to review committee charges, responsibilities and terms, please click here. |
Mary I. O’Connor, MD: Leadership / Advocacy Committee Liaison
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Rikesh K. Patel, DO: Young Arthroplasty Group (YAG) Liaison
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AAHKS Census
DAB is collecting demographic data on AAHKS membership to better understand the racial and ethnic makeup of the organization.
The data you provide will help us:
- Better understand you and your needs as a member.
- Promote inclusivity and diversity in AAHKS membership and leadership.
- Create pathways for members to become course instructors and symposia presenters.
Make sure you are counted and complete the Census today!
Completing the Census is quick and the information you provide will help to ensure that AAHKS represents all of us.
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