Newswise — November 20, 2020 — The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Society’s first Diversity and Inclusion Program. This initiative stresses for AOSSM an understanding that cultural competency is essential to creating a health care system that is safe, inclusive and equitable for the broad range of identities in the athletic community.
Guided by a Diversity Task Force, the Society’s diversity and inclusion initiative states:
AOSSM fosters, supports and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our members and those affiliated with our Society. We fully embrace and value diversity in its broadest sense, including, but not limited to, diversity of age, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic standing, and intellectual viewpoint.
It is the collective responsibility of our Society members to act intentionally toward fair and equitable outcomes through:
- Organizational inclusion of all identities, abilities and perspectives;
- Consciously providing members with strategic educational and experiential opportunities for diversity and inclusion competency.
Central to our Society’s mission of transforming mind, body and spirit, our commitment to excellence in pursuing diversity and inclusion helps our members deliver the best patient care to all communities.
“In this time of health, economic and social upheaval, the diversity and inclusion initiative seeks to collaborate with all of our members regardless of race, gender, age, religious affiliation, sexual orientation and disability,” said AOSSM President Michael G. Ciccotti, MD. “I have every expectation that this initiative will have a substantive impact on our members pursuit of relevant life-long sports medicine education.”
Joel Boyd, MD, Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota and Head Team Physician for the Minnesota Wild, will chair the Board-appointed task force. AOSSM President-elect Kurt Spindler, MD, also will serve on the task force to ensure a direct line of communication with leadership. The task force and its immediate objectives will be announced and detailed in the Winter issue of the Society’s member newsletter Sports Medicine Update this December.
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About AOSSMThe American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is the premier global organization representing the interests of orthopaedic surgeons and other professionals who provide comprehensive health services for the care of athletes and active people of all ages and levels. We cultivate evidence-based knowledge, provide extensive educational programming, and promote emerging research that advances the science and practice of sports medicine. AOSSM is also a founding partner of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign to prevent overuse and traumatic injuries in kids.
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