The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon has honored three surgeons for their work, including the first woman recipient of the Dr. William Tipton Leadership Award, according to a March 23 news release.
Erica Taylor, MD, earned the 2026 AAOS Impact Award for her work to expand access to orthopedic care in the U.S. Throughout her career she’s mentored hundreds of students and early-career surgeons. Dr. Taylor also founded a national leadership consortium that supports clinicians and healthcare leaders to strengthen orthopedic workforce and care delivery. She is a hand surgeon at Duke Health in Durham, N.C.
Gregory Mundis, Jr., MD, earned the AAOS 2026 Humanitarian Award for his work in the U.S. and abroad. He has led medical missions in Mexico, South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, and he’s trained surgeons to continue the work. He also provides opportunities for clinical fellows to serve on at least one medical mission trip during their training. Dr. Mundis is a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego.
Kristy Weber, MD, earned the 2026 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award and is the first woman to receive the honor. Dr. Weber served as the first woman president of the AAOS Board of Directors in 2019 and has served as a leader with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, and the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance. With the AAOS she advanced governance reform, strengthened organizational structure, and helped launch a new strategic plan. Dr. Weber is an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
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