Ms. Hackett certainly fits those requirements: Since arriving at AAOS, she has initiated a board supported employee incentive compensation plan, a new governance structure, a monthly member magazine and a series of public service announcements on a variety of orthopedic topics.
“Karen is a leader who artfully combines collaboration and facilitation to paint the ‘big picture’ for our members and staff,” said Joseph Zuckerman, MD, president of the AAOS. “Her wealth of experience in association management is second to none.”
Though she was clearly proud to be honored with the award, Ms. Hackett made it clear in her speech that she considered the win a team effort. “The real achievement in business management is not a specific policy or program, it is the people,” she said. “Working together, whether inside or outside your organization, only serves to make everyone stronger.”
Ms. Hackett joined the AAOS in 2003. She supervises a staff of 240 employees and oversees a $60 million budget. Before joining the AAOS, she spent 20 years in associate management work. During that time, she served as executive vice president and COO of the American College of Healthcare Executives in Chicago for eight years, as well as the vice president of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council.
Ms. Hackett received her MBA from Lewis University and a BSBA from the University of Central Florida.
Read more on notable orthopedic and spine leaders:
–Orthopedic and Spine Leader to Know: Dr. Steven Ballinger of Samaritan Mid Valley Orthopedics
