The Achievement Award is the Academy's way of saying "Thanks" for outstanding contributions to the profession of orthopaedic surgery. This award recognizes the active volunteer involvement by Academy members both in AAOS programs and elsewhere in orthopaedics.

How to participate
Documentation of activities is the key to the program. Members' volunteer activities with the Academy have been recorded by the AAOS since 2005 from its database of management information. Members may also submit volunteer activities with other organizations during the previous 10-year period. The following categories of service qualify for this award:

• Teaching: in AAOS; specialty, state, and regional societies; and other national medical organizations. This includes being a moderator or presenter for instructional courses; chair, presenter, lab instructor, or moderator for CME courses; presenter, co-author, discussant, or moderator of a scientific paper session; and moderator or presenter of a symposium.
• Publications and research: authoring, editing, or reviewing publications for the AAOS; specialty, state, and regional societies; and other national medical organizations. This includes participating in peer-reviewed orthopaedic journals as an unpaid editor, author, or reviewer and conducting original research for the AAOS, for specialty, state, and regional societies, and for other national medical organizations.
• Service and advocacy: This category includes participation on the AAOS Board of Directors, councils, committees, subcommittees, and project teams; on the Board of Councilors and Board of Specialty Societies; as a leadership fellow or mentor; on specialty society boards and committees, state society boards and committees, and regional society boards and committees; and on other national medical organizations' boards and committees.

Members may claim one credit per year for their AAOS and non-AAOS volunteer activities in each of the areas (teaching, publications and research, and service and advocacy), for a maximum of three credits per year with volunteer service in each area.

It's up to you
Your volunteer activities and dedication help the AAOS and your specialty, state, and regional orthopaedic societies thrive. Whether you are fairly new to the world of volunteerism or a seasoned veteran, the Academy wants you to know your efforts are appreciated.

For additional information about the program or to submit your non-AAOS volunteer activities, go to www.aaos.org/achievementaward. Direct any questions about submitting activities or about the program to Donna Siwek at siwek@aaos.org