Women's Leadership Awards

The Women's Leadership Initiative supports and encourages women in foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery. Since 2018, the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation has presented awards to outstanding female leaders in foot and ankle orthopaedics.

Award recipients receive $5,000 and complimentary registration to AOFAS Annual Meeting 2026 in Seattle, WA September 16-19, 2026. Additionally, both are invited to be podium speakers during the meeting and guests of honor at the Women’s Leadership Reception. 

The Career Impact Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within their profession and contributed to the advancement of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. Nominees are not required to be AOFAS members be considered; however, AOFAS membership is preferred. This award is presented to an individual more than 10 years into practice.

The Career Development Award recognizes the professional aspirations of an early to mid-career orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon who demonstrates commitment to the specialty through activities in an employment setting, AOFAS, or other volunteer efforts and consulting work. This award is presented to an AOFAS Active, Candidate, Associate, or International Member in the first 10 years of practice.

Instructions

Forms and supporting documents must be submitted by April 24, 2026. Uploading materials to this form is preferred but may be sent to kfroslan@aofas.org.

If you are nominating an individual for the Career Impact Award:

• Complete the nomination form.
• Nominees should be more than 10 years into practice.
• Upload your letter of recommendation (not to exceed 1 page). 
• Please notify the person you are nominating. Staff will reach out to them for a CV.

If you are nominating an individual for the Career Development Award:

• Ensure the nominee is in the first 10 years into practice and an AOFAS member.
• Complete the nomination form.
• Upload your letter of recommendation (not to exceed 1 page).
• Please notify the person you are nominating. Staff will reach out to them for a CV.

If you are self-nominating for the Career Development Award:

• Ensure you are in your first 10 years into practice and an AOFAS member.
• Complete the nomination form.
• Upload your CV and letter of recommendation (not to exceed 1 page).

Uploading all materials with this application is preferred but can be sent to Katlyn Froslan at kfroslan@aofas.org. 

What to include in the letter of recommendation:

• How do you know the nominee?
• Leadership experience/professional roles in foot & ankle surgery.
• Contributions to the specialty, AOFAS, other professional or volunteer organizations, activities, and appointments.
• Key efforts to help support and advance women in the profession.

Important tip:

A letter written with enthusiastic and sincere support from someone who knows the nominee well is more useful than a generic or impersonal letter from the most famous or senior orthopaedic surgeon.