AOFAS Gains Three New Board Members

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) has recruited three new board members: Jason T. Bariteau, M.D.; Anish R. Kadakia, M.D.; and Kelly K. Hynes, M.D., MSc, FRCSC. The trio will serve as members-at-large.

Dr. Bariteau is currently a foot and ankle surgeon and associate professor at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. After earning his medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, Dr. Bariteau completed his orthopedic residency and fellowship at Brown University in Providence, R.I., and then completed an additional fellowship at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to joining the AOFAS Board of Directors, Dr. Bariteau serves as an abstract reviewer for Foot & Ankle International (FAI), the scientific journal of the AOFAS, and Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics (FAO), the Society’s open access journal.

Previously, Dr. Bariteau chaired the AOFAS Research Committee and was a member of the Committee on Outside Collaborations; Program Committee; AOFAS/Arthritis Foundation Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Grants Selection Committee; and the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Foundation Pillar Selection Committee.

“I wanted to become a Board member of the AOFAS to help an organization that has helped my career immensely. The AOFAS has made me a better surgeon, a better researcher, and a better educator,” Dr. Bariteau said. “I can’t say enough good things about the organization and the people who are involved with it, and I look forward to the opportunity to help the AOFAS continue to achieve its mission. The AOFAS mission is to improve lives through exceptional orthopedic foot and ankle care. Assisting the board in fulfilling that mission would be a highlight of my career.”

Dr. Kadakia is a professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. After earning his medical degree and residency at Northwestern University, he completed his fellowship at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

In addition to his AOFAS board role, Dr. Kadakia serves as a member of the AOFAS Membership Committee and Program Committee. He previously was a member of the Education Committee, Foot & Ankle International CME Committee, Postgraduate Education Committee, and Practice Management Committee.

“AOFAS provides a significant support for our orthopedic foot and ankle community, and I appreciate the sacrifice of the many board members who have taken time away from their practices and families to make it successful,” Dr. Kadakia stated. “As I am in the middle of my career, I feel it is my responsibility to contribute. I look forward to understanding how AOFAS works at the board level and to learn what I can do personally to help keep AOFAS relevant to the younger members who have a different set of needs and desires. The AOFAS does a tremendous amount for the members, and I want to contribute more to the Society and continue the hard work of the board so the Society continues to thrive in the future.”

Dr. Hynes is an associate professor in the Orthopaedic Surgery Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. After earning her medical degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, she completed her orthopedic residency at the University of Ottawa and fellowship at the University of British Columbia.

Besides her AOFAS board position, Dr. Hynes is a member of the AOFAS Education Committee, Governance Committee, and Program Committee. Her past AOFAS roles and awards include being a member of the Young Physicians Committee; a fellow of the EFAS/AOFAS Exchange Program; and a recipient of the Women’s Leadership Scholarship.

“I truly believe that service to the AOFAS is critical for the advocacy, professional development, and community-building that our specialty requires to thrive,” Dr. Hynes commented. “I have benefited firsthand from many of the programs offered by the AOFAS, and I am eager to participate at a leadership level in the execution and oversight of these efforts. The AOFAS has been so instrumental in jumpstarting my early career—from education, to building a network of trusted colleagues, to leadership opportunities. The opportunity to give back and help more of my foot and ankle colleagues receive these same benefits is really an honor.”

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes foot and ankle surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes.