Adolph J. Yates Jr. to Lead AAOS Board of Specialty Societies

Pennsylvania orthopedic surgeon Adolph J. Yates Jr., M.D., has been chosen to chair the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Board of Specialty Societies (BOS). He brings significant expertise in orthopedic surgery and healthcare quality improvement to the role, according to the organization.

Dr. Yates currently serves as professor and vice chair for quality within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, he is chief of orthopedics at UPMC Shadyside, specializing in adult reconstruction. His career includes extensive academic and clinical achievements, as well as a strong focus on advancing evidence-based care.

Before assuming his role as chair, Dr. Yates played an integral role in the BOS, supporting leaders of musculoskeletal societies to address issues of mutual concern such as advocacy, continuing medical education, research, and residency and fellowship issues. He served as BOS secretary (2022-2023) and chair-elect (2023-2025). Dr. Yates’ dedication to orthopedic care earned him admission into the AAOS Leadership Fellows Program, for which he also served as a mentor for three years. He achieved six AAOS Achievement Awards (2011-2017) and the Senior Achievement Award in 2018.

Dr. Yates completed executive training with the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) and the Katz-UPMC Leadership Program. He was awarded the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons’ President’s Award and served as their AMA Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) representative. His research has focused on restoring cartilage and creating prevention guidelines for VTE and knee osteoarthritis surgical treatments, among others.

Dr. Yates has addressed healthcare policy on numerous occasions, advocating on Capitol Hill for value-based medicine that prioritizes patient care. His leadership experience includes serving on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration device panel, the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC), and the National Quality Forum (NQF) Surgical Committee. He has served on numerous technical expert panels helping to formulate performance and cost measures within the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and various medical performance programs.

Dr. Yates earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and spent nearly a decade at Johns Hopkins Hospital in residency and faculty positions. Before returning to Pittsburgh, he also served on the faculties of Oregon Health & Science University, West Virginia University, and the University of Rochester.

With more than 39,000 members, the AAOS is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health, providing comprehensive education to help orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals best treat patients. The AAOS is the source of information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.