Kristy L. Weber, MD, FAAOS, Receives 2026 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD Leadership Award
AAOS presented Kristy L. Weber, MD, FAAOS, with the 2026 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award, becoming the first woman to receive the honor.
A nationally and internationally recognized leader, Dr. Weber served as the first woman president of the AAOS Board of Directors in 2019 and has held leadership roles with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, and the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance. During her AAOS presidency, she advanced governance reform, strengthened organizational structure, and helped launch a new strategic plan. She also built and led high-performing, multidisciplinary sarcoma programs at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania, earning national recognition for clinical excellence and research, including the Kappa Delta Award.
Beyond orthopaedics, Dr. Weber recently pursued climate and environmental initiatives in medicine, and she continues to champion diversity and mentorship as president of the Perry Initiative Board of Directors. Her work has been recognized with awards for professionalism and advancement of women in medicine, underscoring her lasting impact on the field.
According to AAOS Second Vice President Elizabeth G. Matzkin, MD, FAAOS, “Throughout her career, Dr. Weber has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the field of orthopaedic surgery for patients, colleagues, and future generations of leaders. Her leadership is not defined by rhetoric but by meaningful action. She has devoted countless hours in service roles and leadership positions, consistently working to strengthen the culture of orthopaedics and to expand opportunity for women and underrepresented minorities. With Dr. Weber, there are no empty words or promises — only sustained impact.”
About the Award
The Tipton Leadership Award recognizes AAOS Active Fellows or Candidate members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities that have led to benefits for the orthopaedic community, patients and/or the American public.
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:
- A recognized leader among peers
- Reliability and dedication
- A commitment to growth and prestige of orthopaedics
- Significant accomplishments as a leader
- Values diversity and demonstrates it
- Fosters a win-win attitude
- Is an outstanding mentor
- Is a team player and builder
- Is committed to bridge building
Who is Eligible?
- Nominees must be an AAOS Active Fellow or Candidate Member eligible for Fellowship.
- Nominees must not have served on the Board of Directors, AAOS Awards Committee or former Membership and Leader Development Committee for the last three years.
Who May Nominate/Sponsor?
- Cannot be a member of the Board of Directors or AAOS Awards Committee
- Must be an AAOS Member; Resident members are eligible to nominate candidates, as well
Previous William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award Winners
Steven Gitelis, MD, FAAOS
2025 William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Joshua J. Jacobs, MD, FAAOS
2024 William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Alex Jahangir, MD, FAAOS
2023 William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Andrew W. Gurman, MD, FAAOS
2022 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, FAAOS
2021 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Scott Beecher Scutchfield, MD, FAAOS
2020 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Dana C. Covey, MD, FAAOS
2019 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award
Ramon Jimenez, MD, FAAOS
2018 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award
William J. Robb, MD, FAAOS
2017 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award