From left to right: Retired U.S. Army Colonel James D. Ficke, MD; a retired U.S. general; Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC); and John J. McGraw, MD; attended a ceremony announcing the collaboration between AAOS and the American Corporate Partners.
Published 5/1/2018
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John J. McGraw, MD; Elizabeth Fassbender, Esq.
Collaboration will provide career mentorship to military veterans
AAOS is pleased to announce it has partnered with national nonprofit organization American Corporate Partners (ACP) to provide career guidance to returning military veterans as they transition back into civilian life.
Founded in 2008, ACP volunteers help veterans find new careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking, and online career advice. To that end, Sidney E. Goodfriend, founder and director of APC, works with an impressive board of nationally known directors and advisors. The nonpartisan project accepts military applicants from enlisted and officer ranks with varying backgrounds and career aspirations. Mentors come from many sectors and are paired for a year with the separating or retiring veteran.
More than 20,000 post-9/11 veterans have participated in ACP’s programs, and more than 1 million veterans are expected to transition from the armed forces to civilian life over the next five years. To help with the increasing number of returning veterans, ACP has focused on expanding its number of corporate partners, reaching out to a larger number of returning military and designing several new programs and initiatives. As part of this effort, the AAOS Council on Advocacy (COA) late last year approved a plan to partner with ACP. The move builds on the important relationship between orthopaedic surgeons, the U.S. military, and the care of war injuries. Orthopaedic surgeons are especially well-positioned to engage with this program, as they serve military personnel and veterans every day, treating some of the signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“From the Extremity War Injuries event to advocating for defense research funding, AAOS has long been a proud supporter of our military and veteran communities,” said Wilford K. Gibson, MD, COA chair. “Our partnership with ACP is a natural extension of these efforts and we look forward to providing returning veterans with career guidance and support so they can meet their professional goals and pursue a meaningful career.”
From left to right: Retired U.S. Army Colonel James D. Ficke, MD; a retired U.S. general; Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC); and John J. McGraw, MD; attended a ceremony announcing the collaboration between AAOS and the American Corporate Partners.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel James D. Ficke, MD, addresses the audience at ceremony announcing the collaboration between AAOS and the American Corporate Partners.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel James D. “Jim” Ficke, MD, and John J. McGraw, MD, will serve as the project’s co-chairs.
“With the selection of Jim, who chairs the department of orthopaedic surgery at Johns Hopkins, together with my involvement in the private practice arena through the AAOS Board of Councilors and the OrthoForum, we are confident that AAOS fellows and their staff from across the spectrum of orthopaedic surgery will rise to the challenge and participate in this program,” said Dr. McGraw. “The veterans who are returning to the job market deserve our help and support. I’m honored to work with this program through AAOS and the Council on Advocacy, and am excited about the opportunity to mentor fellow veterans as they re-enter the workforce.”
How can you help? AAOS is pleased to offer this opportunity to interested members who wish to continue their service to veterans, and is seeking members to participate as mentors in the program. For more information, email Stacie Monroe at monroe@aaos.org.
John J. McGraw, MD, is medical director of OrthoTennessee and a member of the AAOS Communications Cabinet and the AAOS Now Editorial Board.
Elizabeth Fassbender, Esq., is the communications manager in the AAOS Office of Government Relations. She can be reached at fassbender@aaos.org.