Gregory M. Mundis Jr., MD, FAAOS, Receives 2026 Humanitarian Award
AAOS honored Gregory M. Mundis Jr., MD, FAAOS, with the 2026 Humanitarian Award for his outstanding musculoskeletal-related humanitarian work in the United States and abroad. Dr. Mundis is a professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego, Calif., president of the San Diego Spine Foundation, director of the San Diego Spine Fellowship, and a board member of Global Spine Outreach.
Raised in a missionary family and inspired by early experiences abroad, Dr. Mundis has dedicated his career to providing life-saving spine deformity care for children who would otherwise have no access. He has led medical mission programs in Mexico, South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, establishing sustainable sites, hosting deformity symposia, and training surgeons to continue these efforts. Working closely with local surgeons, hospital partners, and his own GSO team, he emphasizes collaboration and mentorship as keys to lasting impact.
Committed to inspiring the next generation, Dr. Mundis offers clinical fellows in his program the opportunity to participate in at least one medical mission trip during training, ensuring that his humanitarian work creates a legacy of service and leadership.
According to Behrooz A. Akbarnia, MD, FAAOS, clinical professor at University of California, San Diego, “Dr. Mundis leads with poise, joy, energy, and a spirit of selflessness that is truly contagious. I have had the privilege of watching him grow into an extraordinary surgeon and leader, and I am better for having been part of that journey. Dr. Mundis is a living example of what it means to be a true humanitarian.”
About the Award
The Humanitarian Award recognizes AAOS Active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, and International members who have distinguished themselves through outstanding musculoskeletal-related humanitarian activities in the United States or abroad.
This award is presented each year at the AAOS Annual Meeting. Recipients receive a $5,000 honorarium.
Candidates for the award will be evaluated for activities that include:
- Give of himself or herself regardless of compensation
- Provide services without expectation of remuneration
- Provide services to all equally, impartially, cooperatively and neutrally
- Embrace common moral decencies such as altruism, integrity, freedom, justice, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility and compassion
- Respect and embrace human diversity
- Improve the lives of those in need through selfless, courageous, creative, and compassionate acts
- Efforts to bring healthcare access to the underserved (also include humanitarian efforts organization if applicable)
- Measurable and/or tangible impact of humanitarian activities by candidate
- Number of patients/people impacted by candidate’s humanitarian activities
Who is Eligible?
- Must be an AAOS Fellow, Emeritus Member or International member who has distinguished himself or herself through outstanding musculoskeletal-related humanitarian activities in the United States or abroad
- Cannot have served on the Communications Cabinet within the three years prior to the award year
- Must have demonstrated an exemplary and outstanding commitment to musculoskeletal-focused humanitarian activities, either domestically or abroad
- Only one nominee may be nominated (not a joint nomination)
Who May Nominate/Sponsor?
- Cannot be a member of the Board of Directors or the AAOS Awards Committee
- Must be an AAOS member; Resident members are eligible to nominate candidates, as well
Previous AAOS Humanitarian Award Winners
Coleen S. Sabatini, MD, MPH, FAAOS
2025 Humanitarian Award Winner
Duane R. Anderson, MD, FAAOS
2024 Humanitarian Award Winner
Mark S. Myerson, MD, FAAOS
2023 Humanitarian Award Winner
Keith S. Feder, MD, FAAOS
2022 Humanitarian Award Winner
David M. Atkin, MD, FAAOS
2021 Humanitarian Award Winner
Steven J. Meyer, MD
2020 Humanitarian Award Winner
Sameer Attar, MD, FAAOS
2019 Humanitarian Award Winner
Rick D. Wilkerson, MD, FAAOS
2018 Humanitarian Award Winner
David A. Spiegel, MD, FAAOS
2017 Humanitarian Award Winner