John J. Callaghan, MD, FAOA, the Lawrence and Marilyn Dorr Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, was recognized for his personal achievement and broad contribution to orthopaedics with the 2020 Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics Award. An acknowledged leader both nationally and internationally, Dr. Callaghan has extensively contributed to the areas of orthopaedic education and research. He has led as principle investigator of grants from OREF, the National Institutes of Health, and the Veterans Administration.
His extensive leadership roles have included Secretary for The American Orthopaedic Association, ABOS officer, President for the International Hip Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the Hip Society, the Knee Society, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and the Iowa Orthopaedic Society. Dr. Callaghan is the recipient of numerous awards, including The American Orthopaedic Association’s Distinguished Clinician Educator Award in 2013.
During his virtual acceptance speech, Dr. Callaghan acknowledged the mentors who have advised and guided him along the way. He reflected upon a common question over the course of his career: why he decided to spend the time, energy, and passion contributing to various organizations across the orthopaedic profession. “The answer is simple,” he explained. “We are privileged to practice in one of the most innovative and dynamic areas of medicine in general and surgery, specifically. To maintain that position and to advance our field even further requires continual pursuit of research and education.”
About The American Orthopaedic Association
The first orthopaedic association in the world, founded in 1887, The American Orthopaedic Association is a small, select organization of elected orthopaedic leaders.
Membership in The American Orthopaedic Association is an earned membership that comes at the end of a stringent peer-reviewed process. Fewer than 10% of practicing orthopaedic surgeons have achieved AOA Membership. Members of The American Orthopaedic Association are referred to as Fellows of The American Orthopaedic Association (FAOA). This designation after a surgeon's name means that the surgeon has achieved recognition for exceptional accomplishments and leadership in the orthopaedic specialty.
Our programs are designed to provide leadership education for surgeons from residency through retirement. The AOA helps orthopaedic surgeons gain and enhance skills and concepts not taught during residency. This includes leadership development courses, content and training for academic orthopaedists, and providing thought leadership on and solutions for critical issues facing the broad orthopaedic community. Find out more at www.aoassn.org, follow us on Twitter @aoa1887, or on LinkedIn