AAOS has many volunteers who contribute to the Academy’s examination development process. Through their experience and expertise, they offer their time to help build the future of our examination product offerings. Each quarter, we will celebrate these efforts with a featured volunteer in the AAOS Item Writer Spotlight.
Gregory Gallant, MD, FAAOS is the current Chair of the Orthopaedic Knowledge Update® (OKU®) Examination Committee. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Gallant about volunteering with the Academy and the great contributions he has made.
Thank you, Dr. Gallant!
Tell us a little bit about your background as an orthopaedic surgeon and your specialty in hand surgery.
I attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and completed my residency there. During residency, I considered several subspecialties, but I found myself drawn to hand surgery. I completed a hand surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and then joined a practice in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. After about 15 years, our group merged with Rothman Orthopaedics. Today, I practice hand and upper-extremity surgery, treating conditions from the fingertips to the shoulder, primarily in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
How many years have you been an AAOS volunteer, and how did you first become involved?
I became involved in organized orthopaedics in the late 1990s through the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society, where I eventually served as president. When that term ended, I wanted to become more involved with AAOS, so I joined the Board of Councilors and served for six years. Around the same time, I began writing examination questions for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, which sparked my interest in item writing and exam development as a way to give back to the profession.
From there, joining the AAOS Hand and Wrist Self-Assessment Examination Committee was a natural next step. I later became the committee's editor and eventually moved into the OKU editor role. Transitioning to OKU allowed me to expand my knowledge beyond hand surgery into areas such as total joints and spine. Throughout the years, I have learned a tremendous amount from fellow item writers and committee members, making the experience both professionally valuable and especially rewarding.
As Chair of the OKU Examination Committee, what has been the most rewarding aspect of participating in exam development?
The most rewarding part has been working with the talented physicians who write the questions. I am always impressed by their knowledge and by how much I learn from them. You also make friends along the way and reconnect with colleagues at the AAOS Annual Meeting. I have even recruited some of my own partners to help write questions. The work is challenging, but it is rewarding to see the finished examination and know you helped create it.
What advice would you offer future committee chairs and volunteers who aspire to leadership roles?
Give back, volunteer, and participate. The work can be challenging, but it is very rewarding. When you see the finished product, you can say, “I helped do that.” Staying active is also a way to support the next generation of physicians. I would encourage anyone who is interested to become involved.
What is one key piece of advice you would give to new item writers, and what qualities make someone effective in that role?
Pay attention to detail and keep it simple. A question should be challenging, but not too easy or too difficult. Test one topic at a time, and keep the stem and response options concise. Give good attention to detail, check your references and focus on accepted general concepts rather than a single research paper or unnecessary minutiae. I also view the examination as a study tool, so the discussion should explain why the correct answer is correct and why the other options are incorrect.
Can you share a memorable experience from your AAOS volunteer service that had a significant impact on you?
I particularly enjoyed the Board of Councilors meetings. There was not one specific defining moment, but serving on the BOC showed me how the Academy works across education, certification, and advocacy. I gained a greater appreciation for the effort that goes into AAOS educational materials and for the Academy’s reach, from large academic centers to small community practices.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job, and how do you stay motivated and inspired in your work?
My favorite moment is the final visit with a patient, especially when someone takes the time to say, “Thank you for helping me.” That really stays with you. Because I live in a small town, I also see former patients in the community after they have recovered. Mentoring younger partners and teaching the residents is rewarding as well. Patients trust us to operate on them, and I consider that a privilege, not simply a job.
Outside of medicine, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?
Baseball is a major part of my life. I played in college and now play on several teams, as well as in tournaments with players from around the country. Baseball keeps me active and has introduced me to many friends. I also enjoy spending time with our Labrador retriever, relaxing on the deck with my wife, and visiting Cape Cod.
What is one memorable or funny experience from your career?
During a baseball game when I was playing shortstop, the pitcher threw the ball to me in an attempt to pick off the runner at second base. Unfortunately, the ball hit the runner’s arm. He had quite a bit of pain and had to leave the game. I did not know him at all. A few days later, that same player came to my office, and we discovered that he had fractured his ulna right where the ball hit him. He required surgery and in the recovery room after fixing it with plate and screws. I told him that I was the guy trying to pick him off at second base. Fortunately, he had a good sense of humor, and we became friends.
After retiring, what would be your dream job?
I would love to be involved teaching orthopaedic surgery residents and fellows as well as continuing to write papers, chapters, and books. My colleagues and I have written and edited several books through the years and I would like to continue to do that. Also, I have a summer home in Cape Cod Massachusetts. The premier college baseball summer league is located in Cape Cod and each town sponsors a team. I would love to be involved helping a team out and would definitely welcome being an assistant coach on one of those teams. It would be a wonderful way to stay involved in baseball while spending more time on beautiful Cape Cod.