AAOS Names Lori Shoaf as VP of Govenment Relations Office

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) has welcomed Lori Shoaf as the new vice president for the Office of Government Relations, which promotes and advocates for the orthopedic community. Based in Washington, D.C., Shoaf will oversee the legislative, regulatory, and political teams that together identify, analyze, and direct health policy activities to help advance musculoskeletal health. 
 
Most recently, Shoaf spent a decade as the executive director of partnerships, advocacy, and coalitions at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. She also has previous federal government relations experience at member healthcare associations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the American College of Physicians. In these roles, Shoaf supervised legislative and regulatory issues, advanced legislative priorities, led initiatives that increased political action committee contributions, and advanced the value of membership, resulting in stronger recruitment and retention. 
 
“I am confident Lori will be a strong leader for the Association as she brings deep experience and proven success leading public sector engagement, congressional relations and outreach, industry affairs, coalition building, and member services, among others,” said Nathan Glusenkamp, chief quality and registries officer at AAOS. “Her background in both physician advocacy and working with private payers brings a fresh perspective on how our team can successfully advocate on behalf of physicians and patients to improve musculoskeletal care.”
 
With AAOS having recently implemented a new five-year Strategic Plan, Shoaf will work closely with her team and surgeon leaders to ensure advocacy efforts align with the plan. In particular, she will collaborate with the Advocacy Council, which establishes AAOS’ annual unified advocacy agenda and builds and maintains coalitions with external organizations in orthopedic surgery and across organized medicine.
 
“I am honored to be joining an organization with such a strong reputation in Washington and am excited to build upon AAOS’ foundation of multi-pronged advocacy,” Shoaf stated. “Together, we will contribute to the evolution of member needs at a time when the profession is rapidly changing, and I look forward to working collaboratively to ensure public policy supports the central role of orthopedic surgeons leading care teams and medical decision making to benefit patients.”
 
With more than 39,000 members, AAOS promotes and advocates the orthopedic community’s viewpoints before federal and state legislative, regulatory, and executive agencies. Based in Washington, D.C., with additional staff in the AAOS’ headquarters in Rosemont, Ill., the AAOS Office of Government Relations identifies, analyzes, and directs all health policy activities and initiatives to position the AAOS as a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health.