Dr. Sanford Emery named president of the American Orthopaedic Association

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sanford Emery, M.D., M.B.A., WVU Medicine orthopaedic surgeon, chair of the West Virginia University School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics, and interim chair of the Department of Surgery, will be installed as the 129th president of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) at the organization’s Annual Meeting June 22-25 in Seattle.

Founded in 1887, the AOA is the oldest orthopaedic association in the world. Members are elected to the AOA based on their leadership qualifications and significant contributions to education, research, and the practice of orthopaedic surgery.

The AOA brings together North American orthopaedic leaders from all orthopaedic subspecialties to address critical issues facing orthopaedics and changes to academic orthopaedic residency/fellowship training programs. The AOA also equips orthopaedic surgeons across all career stages with knowledge and skills necessary to lead effectively in the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare environment.

During his one-year term, Dr. Emery will oversee the activities for the next year and set the agenda for any new programs or initiatives. Current programs include travelling fellowships for young orthopaedic surgeons, a metabolic bone registry called Own the Bone, and leadership training.

Originally from Albany, New York, Emery completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College. He received his medical degree from the Duke University School of Medicine before returning to New York to complete his orthopaedic surgery residency at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Emery completed a spine fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and became a faculty member there. While at Case Western, he also received his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree. In 2003, he joined the faculty of WVU as professor and chair of the Department of Orthopaedics.