Powell brings advocacy focus, leadership experience to AAOS Board

At a Glance

• New AAOS Board member Eli Powell, MD, FAAOS, brings extensive leadership and advocacy experience from military service and organized orthopaedics.
• He views AAOS advocacy as a unique strength, helping protect patient access to musculoskeletal care through engagement with policymakers and regulators.
• Dr. Powell encourages residents and early-career surgeons to engage with AAOS through Annual Meeting participation, Resident Assembly activities, and advocacy initiatives.

Estimated read time: 4 minutes

When Elisha “Eli” T. Powell IV, MD, FAAOS, reflects on the role of AAOS, his perspective is shaped by decades of service — both in uniform and within organized orthopaedics. Now a newly elected at-large member of the AAOS Board of Directors, Dr. Powell brings with him not only a breadth of leadership experience but also a deep appreciation for how AAOS advances patient care, supports surgeons, and amplifies the voice of the specialty on a national stage. In a recent conversation with AAOS Now Editorial Board member Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, FAAOS, Dr. Powell discussed the path that led him to the Board, AAOS’ unique influence in advocacy, and why engaging the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons is critical to the organization’s future.

From service to leadership
Dr. Powell’s journey to the AAOS Board of Directors reflects a steady progression of involvement within AAOS. Over the past six years, he served as the Board of Councilors representative for Alaska and took on leadership roles, including chair of the AAOS Advocacy Committee and participation on the Executive Committee focused on advocacy. Through these roles, he gained increasing insight into how AAOS operates and, more importantly, the scope of its impact. “[AAOS]… has always been an organization I looked up to and admired,” Dr. Powell noted, emphasizing its longstanding contributions to orthopaedic education and patient care. That admiration ultimately motivated him to pursue a position on the Board of Directors. Encouraged by colleagues and driven by a desire to contribute at a higher level, he applied and was selected, which he described as an honor. His career background also informs his approach. With experience in the United States Air Force and multiple leadership roles, Dr. Powell understands the importance of structure, collaboration, and mission-driven work — qualities that align closely with AAOS objectives.

Advancing musculoskeletal care
Central to Dr. Powell’s perspective is the role AAOS plays in advancing musculoskeletal care over time. He points to the past three decades as a period of remarkable innovation, with significant developments in both surgical and nonsurgical treatments. “The advances of musculoskeletal care … have been remarkable,” he said, highlighting how new procedures and treatment approaches have enabled patients to return more quickly and fully to their daily lives. These advancements, he emphasized, are not accidental. They are the result of sustained efforts in education, leadership, and advocacy. For practicing orthopaedic surgeons, AAOS serves as a central hub for these advancements, helping translate research into practice and ensuring that clinicians remain at the forefront of their field.

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Related Content

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons names Elisha ‘Eli’ T. Powell IV, MD, FAAOS, to Board of Directors (AAOS Now)

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A distinct voice in advocacy
While specialty societies and state organizations play vital roles in orthopaedics, Dr. Powell underscored a key differentiator: the ability of AAOS to advocate effectively at the national level. “I think … the specialty societies … provide great education and focus,” he said. “But [AAOS] has the infrastructure and the experience and the leadership to provide advocacy on a basis that [others] are just unable to execute.” This distinction is particularly important in today’s evolving healthcare landscape, where policy decisions directly impact patient access to care, reimbursement, and the practice environment. The AAOS Office of Government Relations and initiatives such as Capitol Hill Day are central to these efforts, he said. By fostering relationships with lawmakers and maintaining a consistent presence in Washington, AAOS ensures that the needs of orthopaedic surgeons — and their patients — are heard.“Without [AAOS], I think we’d be in trouble on Capitol Hill with advocating for our patients who need our care,” Dr. Powell said.

Engaging the next generation
Looking ahead, Dr. Powell believes one of the most important priorities for AAOS is strengthening engagement with younger members and residents. He credits AAOS with making meaningful progress in recent years, particularly through targeted outreach and programming designed to introduce residents to the organization’s resources and opportunities. Still, he sees room for growth. “I think we … need to continue and even do a better job” of reaching residents, he said, suggesting increased visits to residency programs by Board members and AAOS leadership as one way to expand awareness. Exposure, he argues, is critical. Many residents may not fully understand the breadth of what AAOS offers until they experience it firsthand.One of Dr. Powell’s strongest recommendations is simple: attend an AAOS Annual Meeting. “I think it’s important that the residents attend at least one [AAOS] meeting during their residency,” he said. These meetings provide more than just educational content — they offer a comprehensive view of the orthopaedic community, from scientific sessions and skills training to networking opportunities and leadership development. He called out the Resident Assembly specifically because it gives trainees a platform to engage with peers and AAOS leaders while also gaining exposure to issues that shape the future of the specialty.

Introducing advocacy early
Dr. Powell is also a strong advocate for involving residents in advocacy efforts early in their careers. He points to participation in Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC) events as a valuable entry point. Residents, he emphasized, are not only welcome but encouraged to attend these events, even if their financial contributions are minimal. “We don’t care what they donate. We want them to come and be involved,” he said. The goal, he explained, is not fundraising alone but education, helping future orthopaedic surgeons understand how advocacy influences their ability to practice and care for patients. This early exposure can have lasting effects, fostering a culture of engagement that extends throughout a surgeon’s career.

Looking ahead
As Dr. Powell begins his term on the AAOS Board of Directors, he does so with a clear sense of purpose: to strengthen the impact of AAOS in advocacy, expand engagement among younger members, and build on its legacy of advancing orthopaedic care. His message is both a reflection of his experience and a call to action for the broader orthopaedic community. At its core, it underscores a simple but powerful idea: the strength of the profession depends not only on innovation in the operating room but also on collective effort, through leadership, advocacy, and engagement, to ensure that patients continue to receive the care they need. And, as Dr. Powell’s own journey demonstrates, that effort begins with getting involved.

Theresa Witham is managing editor of AAOS Now.