AAOS Incoming President Wilford K. Gibson, MD, asks members, ‘Who are you?

Incoming AAOS President Wilford K. Gibson, MD, FAAOS, introduced himself to AAOS membership with a discussion of personal and professional strength and service.

Dr. Gibson, who will assume his role as AAOS president at the conclusion of the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting, thanked AAOS and its members for the opportunity to serve as AAOS’ 94th president during the Your Academy event on Wednesday.

Hard work and service 
Dr. Gibson, an orthopaedic surgeon at Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists, is a Virginia native, born to parents who taught him values that he hopes to bring to his leadership of AAOS. 

Dr. Gibson’s father left school in the fifth grade to support his own mother and six siblings and later was drafted to serve in World War II along with his identical twin. His mother, the youngest of eight, grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and was no stranger to hunger and hard work. 

“Both instilled in me values of faith, family, country, service, and the importance of never, ever giving up,” he said. 

Dr. Gibson carried these values into his own life. He was a year-round Division 1 college track and field athlete at the University of Richmond. He maintained an academic scholarship and graduated with honors in four years, all while working part-time jobs.

He was accepted as a medical student at the Medical College of Virginia, where he learned to live on coffee and little sleep, made lifelong friends, met his future wife, Annette, and took a Navy Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship to serve and pay for school.

During his time with the Navy, Dr. Gibson learned and lived by the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment. His service included two years deployed on the USS Nassau, an amphibious assault ship, and time spent in a Navy Orthopaedic Residency, as a Navy Fellow in Adult Orthopaedic Trauma, and in an AO Fellowship in pelvis and acetabulum surgery.

After the Navy, Dr. Gibson served as chief of the Division of Orthopaedics at Eastern Virginia Medical School before joining his current practice, Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists, as a partner. 

Serving the profession 
Dr. Gibson’s service extends beyond the Navy and his practice. He has served AAOS for more than 10 years in various roles, including as a Board of Councilor representing Virginia; Board of Councilors secretary, chair-elect, and chair; Advocacy Resource Committee chair; Advocacy Council chair; on the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC); AAOS second vice president, first vice president; and now, AAOS president.

“As I reflect on my journey — from my family’s values to my experiences in service and medicine — I am reminded that our greatest strength comes from working togetherÑteamwork-- and supporting each other and our profession,” he said.

Dr. Gibson asked the audience to look inward and ask themselves, “Who are you?”

“I invite you to think about who you are, who we are, and what it means to belong to a culture that works together to engage, to serve, and to advocate for our profession,” he stressed. 

Part of the culture of AAOS is defined by the diversity of its membership. 

“We are a mix of orthopaedic surgeons, specialists, generalists, private practice, employed, academics, and military, all at different career stages,” Dr. Gibson said. “Are we a melting pot? A patchwork quilt? A jigsaw puzzle? Our diversity is our strength. 

AAOS includes many categories of membership, but we are all one culture.

“Culture is a comprehensive set of shared beliefs, values, behaviors, and customs. We need all its members at the table,” he added. 

Engage, serve, and advocate
Member engagement is a key part of any strong organization; a culture that works together to engage is a culture that grows stronger. 

“Our Academy is only as powerful as the participation of its members,” Dr. Gibson said. “By voting, attending, and contributing, you shape our future and ensure your voice is heard.”

Historically, only 10% to 15% of Active Fellows voted to select future leaders. Dr. Gibson encouraged members to not only nominate candidates, but to vote.

AAOS culture also places an emphasis on service; it is a culture that thrives because of volunteers.

“When we volunteer, we do not just give our time, we build bonds, we share our expertise, and strengthen the foundation of our Academy,” Dr. Gibson explained. “Imagine the impact if every member gave just a little more.”

Historically, fewer than 10% of the membership volunteers. AAOS needs its members’ voices. Volunteering will enrich your life and your practice, he said. 

Finally, a culture that works together to advocate is a culture that leads. 

“Advocacy is not just a talking point. It is really a lifeline for our members and our patients,” Dr. Gibson said. “AAOS is your voice on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, and with regulatory agencies, fighting for the issues that matter most to orthopaedic surgeons.”

Among AAOS’ advocacy goals are the advancement of payment reform, streamlining prior authorization, supporting orthopaedic research, championing medical education and training, leading state advocacy efforts, and promoting physician-led hospitals. Every member’s involvement in meeting these goals is critical. 

Building the future 
While AAOS works toward new goals, Dr. Gibson also celebrated progress already made. Last year, a substantial number of Fellows voted for the Bylaw changes, about 15,000 people attended the Annual Meeting in San Diego, and AAOS membership numbers continue to increase. 

He encouraged members to keep it up! Serve where needed, advocate for patients and the profession, volunteer expertise, and mentor new members. 

“The future is in your hands,” Dr. Gibson said. “Together, let’s continue to build a culture that works, one member at a time.”

Leah Lawrence is a freelance writer for AAOS Now.