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AAOS awards efforts in diversity, leadership, humanitarian work
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LAS VEGAS — During the ceremonial meeting at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 76th Annual Meeting, here, the academy presented awards to three of its members in recognition of their leadership, humanitarian work and efforts to foster diversity within the field.
Described as one of the academy’s most focused and high-impact leaders, Blair C. Filler, MD, was honored with the William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award. Blair was noted for his revitalization of the California Orthopaedic and Western Orthopaedic Associations, his work in the area of CPT coding, and his efforts in establishing the academy’s presence in Washington.
“[There] are probably 100 other people in the academy that have done just the same as I have done, and it’s truly an honor to be picked out of that very large group,” Filler told Orthopedics Today.
David P. Roye Jr., MD, was presented with the Humanitarian Award. During the ceremony, AAOS members celebrated his volunteerism and involvement in the Children of China Pediatrics Foundation.
“I consider it a gift to be able to provide care to children who do not have resources, and it is enormously fulfilling to do both personally and professionally,” Roye said during his acceptance speech. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to help these very special patients, and I want to thank the academy for this honor.”
Credited for his skill as a mentor and efforts in stressing the importance of culturally competent care within the academy, Orthopedics Today Editorial Board member Ramon L. Jimenez, MD, was recognized with the Diversity Award.
“Winning this award means a whole lot,” he told Orthopedics Today. “It pushes the value and the goal of the academy for diversity. And for me, personally, to personify that in two ways — to help decrease the obstacles for minorities to become orthopedic surgeons [and] to extend the endeavors of teaching culturally competent care — all of it helps to decrease health care disparities, [which] is what this is all about.”