Michael L. Parks Named Second Vice President of AAOS

New York orthopedic surgeon Michael L. Parks, M.D., was installed as second vice president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Directors (BOD) at its meeting last week in San Diego. His role is the first in a four-year term of volunteer service during which he will serve as AAOS president in 2027.

“As I embark on this four-year term, my priority is to champion and listen to our members, ensuring they have the resources, education and support necessary to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape,” Dr. Parks said. “Alongside my fellow AAOS Board members, I am committed to improving musculoskeletal health through collaboration, innovation and patient focus. I am honored to serve in this role and to advance AAOS’ mission of serving our profession to provide the highest quality musculoskeletal care.”

Dr. Parks has made a significant and lasting impact as a physician, advocate, and mentor. Among his many AAOS volunteer positions, Dr. Parks served as treasurer, BOD member-at-large, chair of the AAOS Resolutions Committee, chair of the AAOS Finance Committee and chair of the Workgroup on Obesity. He was also a member of the Board of Councilors, AAOS Annual Meeting Committee, and Communications Cabinet, and selected to the 2003 class of the AAOS Leadership Fellows Program. His leadership was recognized with the AAOS’ Diversity Award in 2019 and Achievement Award in 2012.

A specialist in the surgical treatment of arthritis in adults, Dr. Parks is highly regarded for his expertise in reconstructive procedures for the hip and knee, according to AAOS. His clinical research focuses on joint replacement surgery and emphasizes reducing health disparities and addressing socio-economic factors affecting healthcare outcomes. His insights have been featured in leading publications, including New York magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Black Enterprise magazine and Money magazine.  Dr. Parks also has appeared on NBC’s TODAY show to discuss treatment alternatives for knee arthritis in baby boomers.

In addition to his leadership within the AAOS, Dr. Parks is a past president of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation and the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He served as a board member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and has been actively involved in the Movement is Life Caucus, a multi-stakeholder group devoted to decreasing musculoskeletal health disparities.

Dr. Parks graduated from Duke University with a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry and earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he received the President’s Clinical Science Award. After completing an internship in general and thoracic surgery, followed by an orthopedic residency at Duke University Medical Center, he continued his training at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York with a fellowship on the hip and knee service, where he remains in practice today.

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 daily. 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.