Andrew W. Howard, MD, MSc, FRCSC

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Why did you join AAOS?

I joined as a Resident because of the excellent educational products - at that time review course lectures, the OKU, and the self-assessment exams.

How do you define success?

Clinical success is helping my patients to reach their goals. Scholarly success is helping other orthopaedic surgeons present, future, and potential to bring success to their patients. Societal success is preventing or treating orthopaedic diseases for all potential patients - here and around the world. That one is a big challenge.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

Paul Farmer changed the way the world thinks about global health. It's a practical, down to earth field that requires strong direct involvement of clinicians.

What do you love most about AAOS?

I like the way the AAOS distils information for practicing surgeons. Practice guidelines, appropriate use criteria, and educational material are built rigorously and respect the principles of evidence-based medicine. I like the evolution of the instructional course lectures to be interactive and learner focused/learner driven.

What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?

The AAOS is much more than just the Annual Meeting. It's an ongoing dialogue with like-minded friends and colleagues, and a great way to meet more of them. You can drive the direction of the academy by bringing your ideas and energy.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?

I grew up in High Prairie, Alberta. Small town life has a lot of advantages and attractions.