AO Alliance

30/01/2026

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Gremminger to the AO Alliance Board of Directors, starting from January 2026. Gremminger is a senior consultant at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the Kantonsspital in Winterthur, Switzerland, where she also serves as deputy team lead for pediatric orthopedics and deformities.

Abdoulie Janneh and Nikolaus Renner, who have served on the Board since 2016 and 2018 respectively, have bid us farewell as their terms have come to an end. Janneh had previously served as UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Renner first joined the Board as a delegate of the AO Foundation Board, and then was appointed as Vice-Chair in 2020.

We extend our gratitude to Abdoulie Janneh and Nikolaus Renner for their dedication to supporting care of the injured in Africa and Asia and their strategic guidance.

29/01/2026

As part of its ongoing mission to strengthen the global surgical workforce, SURGhub has launched a new Learning Needs Assessment to better understand the priorities of surgical teams around the world. This short, ten-minute survey aims to gather valuable insights into the learning needs, preferences, and suggestions of those delivering care on the frontlines.

The findings will directly shape the future development of SURGhub, ensuring the platform meets real-world needs and continues to strengthen surgical systems globally.

The survey is open until 28 February 2026 -> https://ow.ly/V9lJ50Y5ifp

05/01/2026

As part of the AO Alliance Ethiopia Country Initiative, the AO Alliance is supporting efforts to strengthen fracture care through locally developed education and training resources. The Bone Setting Associated Disability (BOSAD) Study team, led by Mengistu G. Mengesha, developed and released a new series of instructional videos on nonoperative fracture care to assist traditional bonesetters and other frontline healthcare workers in Ethiopia. -> https://ow.ly/HOYx50XQ7PO

BOSAD produced the 10 instructional videos in Amharic, with English subtitles, focusing on commonly used nonoperative fracture management techniques. The videos cover the following procedures: Radial Gutter Application, U-Shaped Slab Application, Ulnar Gutter Application, Long Arm Posterior Gutter Application, Short Arm Cast Application, Short Leg Posterior Gutter Application, Short Leg Cast Application, Long Leg Posterior Gutter Application, Hawassa (POP) Traction Application, and Patellar Tendon Bearing (PTB) Cast Application. The content is designed for the consistent, safe application of fracture care techniques in settings where surgical resources may be limited.

The BOSAD Study is a research and advocacy initiative focused on reducing disability associated with inappropriate fracture care, including complications related to traditional bone-setting practices. BOSAD works through a multicenter hospital network in collaboration with clinical teams, public health partners, and national stakeholders to collect data, inform policy, and develop targeted educational interventions.

The development of these training videos aligns with the objectives of the AO Alliance Ethiopia Country Initiative, which emphasizes capacity building, education, and system strengthening to improve patient outcomes. By providing practical training materials in Amharic, the initiative facilitates wider dissemination of standardized nonoperative care practices.

Through its partnership with BOSAD, the AO Alliance promotes locally led initiatives that address identified gaps in fracture care and contribute to sustainable improvements in musculoskeletal health services in Ethiopia.

The Bone Setting Associated Disability (BOSAD) Study is a national research and advocacy initiative in Ethiopia dedicated to reducing disability and complica...

30/12/2025

The AO Alliance mourns the passing of Christopher Lewis Colton, one of its founding fathers and a passionate advocate for equitable access to trauma care worldwide. Colton passed away in December 2025 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that is woven into the foundation and values of the AO Alliance.

Born in England, Colton completed his medical studies at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School at the University of London, propelling him on an academic and clinical career that would influence generations of orthopedic surgeons. His scientific rigor and ethical leadership earned him international respect across the orthopedic community.

Colton served as President of the AO from 1996 to 1998. His presidency was defined by thoughtful leadership and a belief in collaboration as the cornerstone of progress. He was a founding father of the AO Alliance. In December 2014, in Davos, Switzerland, he signed the AO Alliance into existence—formalizing a shared moral commitment to improving fracture care in underserved regions of the world.

Colton believed profoundly in the AO Alliance mission. His guidance helped define the AO Alliance’s focus on education while ensuring its work remained grounded in needs, collaboration, and sustainability. Claude Martin Jr, AO Alliance Managing Director, worked closely with Colton. "Chris was confident in his opinions and unwavering in his standards. He treated everyone equally and with respect."

A prolific scholar, Colton authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributing significantly to the field of orthopedics and clinical practice. He served on the editorial boards of several leading medical journals, including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Within the AO Alliance community, Colton will be remembered not only for his achievements, but for his wisdom, integrity, and mentorship. The AO Alliance honors Christopher Lewis Colton with gratitude and extends its condolences to his family.

23/12/2025

Dear Friends of the AO Alliance,

As we look back on 2025, we do so with pride and gratitude. This year, the AO Alliance celebrated its 10th anniversary and further strengthened its role as a catalyst for improving fracture and trauma care in 30+ low- and middle-income countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The first AO Alliance Trauma Summit brought together surgeons, researchers, policymakers, and faculty from 29 countries across Africa and Asia in Accra, Ghana. From expanding standardized training for surgeons, residents, and operating room personnel, to supporting country-wide initiatives and clinical guidelines, our work has continued to focus on one clear goal: ensuring that people with injuries receive safe, timely, and appropriate care, no matter where they live.

These achievements have only been possible through our partnerships. Together with national orthopedic associations, ministries of health, universities, hospitals, and hundreds of committed individuals, we have broadened our educational offerings, supported fellowships, mentorships, and clinical research that informs better practice. At the same time, we have continued to strengthen our internal systems and governance so that the AO Alliance remains a trusted, accountable partner for donors and collaborators who share our mission.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, we are committed to deepening our impact: scaling country initiatives, embedding our clinical guidelines into routine practice, and building the next generation of trauma and orthopedic leaders in the regions we serve. Your engagement—whether through collaboration, advocacy, or financial support—remains essential. Thank you for walking this path with us and for your continued commitment to improving care of the injured worldwide.

On behalf of the AO Alliance, we wish you and your loved ones a Joyous and Prosperous Holiday Season.

Barbara Rigassi (Chair) & Claude Martin Jr. (Managing Director)

22/12/2025

The AO Alliance and King’s Global Health Partnerships (KGHP) co-organized a three-day course in Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the nonoperative treatment of common limb fractures. The event brought together front-line clinicians from across the Kongo Central province to strengthen essential skills in safe casting, traction, and fracture stabilization – care that can be delivered even in resource-limited settings.

Faculty included AO Alliance’s Claude Martin Jr and Jim Harrison, KGHP representatives Liz Tissingh and Achim Mambu Vangu (DRC), and experienced trauma surgeons such as Grégoire Anani Abalo (Togo), Jean-Claude Niyondiko (Burundi), Paul Budema and Léon Mubenga (South Kivu, DRC), Christophe Kimona (North Kivu, DRC), and Gaspard Essiso and Pharaon Nyamurara (Kisangani, DRC).

This initiative builds on nearly a decade of collaboration between KGHP and Kongo Central health authorities in trauma and emergency care and connects with the AO Alliance’s wider efforts to strengthen fracture care in low- and middle-income countries.

21/12/2025

18/12/2025

The AO Alliance, in collaboration with Australian of Doctors for Africa (ADFA), conducted a Pre-Basic Principles of Fracture Management course in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The three-day event attracted 40 participants from various healthcare institutions, all seeking to strengthen their foundational knowledge in fracture care. The course was designed to introduce essential concepts in fracture management and provide participants with practical, hands-on training. Over the duration of the event, participants engaged in lectures, working group discussions, and practical exercises led by experienced faculty.

The longstanding relationship between the AO Alliance and ADFA, which began in 2015 when the AO Alliance was founded, is an important one built on shared and complementary missions to strengthen musculoskeletal trauma care and expand surgical capacity across the continent.

16/12/2025

The Chair Education Training (CET) course in Dhaka, Bangladesh, bringing together 21 senior AO Alliance faculty from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The CET program is designed to prepare faculty members to take on chairperson roles within AO Alliance educational events. The curriculum emphasized key principles of curriculum design and management, focusing on problem identification and needs assessment, understanding target learners, developing learning objectives, selecting appropriate educational methods, and implementing effective feedback strategies.

The course was led by Miriam Uhlmann of Switzerland, with training delivered by Naomi Amuron of Uganda and trainer support from Quazi Shahid-Ul Alam of Bangladesh.

11/11/2025

The Ethiopian Society of Orthopedics & Traumatology (ESOT) held its 18th Annual Scientific Conference on October 18–19, 2025 in Addis Ababa. The event was officially opened by ESOT President Ephrem Gebrehana. Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, H.E. Dr Mekdes Daba, addressed the meeting, highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen trauma and orthopedic services nationwide.

The conference began with a joint symposium organized by ESOT and the AO Alliance, focusing on collaboration between traditional bonesetters and modern orthopedic practitioners. Presentations included Joseph Mwanga’s introduction to AO Alliance programs in English-speaking Africa, Claude Martin Jr challenged assumptions and presented approaches to engaging traditional bonesetters, Dominic Konadu-Yeboah shared Ghana’s collaboration model between hospitals and bonesetters, Nkaina Walter discussed Tanzania’s experience, and Mengistu G. Mengesha spoke about Ethiopia’s BOSAD initiative to improve public awareness and define bonesetter scope-of-practice. The session concluded with a panel discussion on integrating traditional and modern practices to improve patient safety.

A clinical research workshop was also held, focusing on building research capacity in Ethiopia and the region. Mengistu G. Mengesha discussed strategies for impactful local research; Jim Harrison provided an overview of Africa’s orthopedic research landscape; and Raju Vaishya demystified writing and publishing. Participants also explored plans for future national multicenter studies.

During the closing session, ESOT presented two major awards. Mengistu G. Mengesha received the Best Abstract Paper Award for the STOPUS randomized clinical trial on pediatric elbow injuries—a nod to locally led, practice-changing inquiry. Claude Martin Jr, Managing Director of AO Alliance, received ESOT’s Highest Merit Award in recognition of a decade of contributions to education, research, and system strengthening in trauma and orthopedic care across the region.



Photos:
1. H.E. Dr Mekdes Daba, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health
2. ESOT President Ephrem Gebrehana
3. Mengistu G. Mengesha receiving the Best Abstract Presentation Award
4. Claude Martin Jr receiving the ESOT Highest Merit Award
5. Mengistu G. Mengesha

07/11/2025

C-Arm intraoperative imaging is key to safer, more precise surgeries. Yet, many healthcare providers in limited-resource settings lack access to high-quality training in intraoperative imaging and radiation safety. Learn how to safely use the C-Arm technology for managing ankle fractures in the operating room. This 1-hour course has been specifically designed to train healthcare workers using a C-arm in low-resource settings.

The course is provided by the AO Alliance, sponsored by Siemens Healthineers, and coordinated by the Global Surgery Foundation.

Register here: https://ow.ly/cU8b50Xkbtg

05/11/2025

This live webinar by Operation Smile Academy on Tuesday November 25 will help participants craft compelling CVs and professional bios while developing the confidence to introduce themselves effectively in conferences, interviews, and networking spaces. Through practical exercises and storytelling techniques, participants will learn how to present their journey, achievements, and professional identity with clarity and impact.

Register here: https://live.operationsmileacademy.org/register/87448569773?lang=en

If you would like your CV reviewed during the live session, please email it to: womeninmedicine@operationsmile.org along with 2-3 areas you'd like feedback on. Please note reviews will take place during the live event, and participants should remove any personal information they don't wish to display. Not all CV's submitted will be selected.

What do I need to attend the webinar? A computer, tablet or smartphone with an Internet connection is required. A link to join the presentation will be sent by email after you register.

What if I cannot attend because of the time? If you register for the webinar, you will receive an email 24 hours later with a link to the recording whether you joined the webinar or not.

Who can attend? All health professionals are welcome to attend.