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JRGOS Historical Timeline

    1895-1934

  • The Early Days - African American Orthopaedic Surgeons Find Education, Community, and Support in the National Medical Association

    The National Medical Association (NMA) was founded in 1895 after the American Medical Association (AMA) refused to integrate. In 1934, Dr. Samuel Freeman presented orthopaedic cases to the NMA's General Surgery Section.

    1950-1971

  • African American Orthopaedic Surgeons at the NMA

    The first separate Orthopaedic Surgery Section program at the NMA was in 1950, led by Drs. Edward Jones and J. Robert Gladden. The section was reorganized by Dr. Charles Epps in 1967, leading to the annual Orthopaedic Surgery Section meetings at the NMA. Dr. Epps was the first NMA Orthopaedic Section Chair, followed by Dr. Randall Morgan.

    1971-1994

  • African American Orthopaedic Surgeons at the AAOS

    Dr. Charles Epps initiated the first annual luncheon for African American Orthopaedic Surgeons at the AAOS meeting in 1971. Initially, the luncheon was for graduates from Howard University, but it quickly expanded to include graduates of Meharry University, both historically Black universities and later, graduates from majority institutions were welcomed. This event, later named the J. Robert Gladden Ortopaedic Society Luncheon, has continued every year since, always taking place on Thursdays at the Academy.

    1994

  • A Vision for African American Orthopaedic Surgeons in the AAOS

    In 1994, NMA Orthopaedic Section Chair Timothy L. Stephens, Jr., MD, invited Augustus A. White III, MD, to deliver the NMA Orthopaedic Scholars Lecture. Dr. White presented data on the underrepresentation of African Americans in Orthopaedic Surgery and the resultant healthcare disparities. Dr. Stephens subsequently initiated a conversation with Dr. White about creating a society within the AAOS to better integrate African Americans.

    1995

  • The Concerned Group is Formed

    Drs. Stephens and White formed the Concerned Group, joining them were Drs. Raymond Pierce, Charles Epps, James Hill, and Randall Morgan. The Group met with AAOS Executive Director Dr. William Tipton and AAOS President Dr. Douglas Jackson.

    1996

  • The Committee of Concerned African American AAOS Members (CCAAAM)

    AAOS President Dr. Douglas Jackson formed an Ad Hoc Diversity Advisory Committee, which included Drs. Jackson, E. Anthony Rankin, Clarence Shields, and Augustus White. CCAAAM members included Drs. Trent Andrews, Alvin Crawford, Charles Epps Jr., James Hill, Randall Morgan, Raymond Pierce, E. Anthony Rankin, Donald Sanders, Clarence Shields, Timothy Stephens, Claudia Thomas, Lance Weaver, and Augustus White. Dr. Pierce served as AAOS Liaison to the NMA, while Drs. Crawford and Rankin were elected to the AAOS Board of Representatives, and Richard Grant to the ABOS Board.

    1997

  • A Multicultural, Pluralistic, and Multiracial Membership Society Defined

    CCAAAM decided that the society's membership would be multicultural and pluralistic. The association was named after the first African American board-certified Orthopaedic Surgeon: J. Robert Gladden, MD. CCAAAM submitted formal documents to AAOS to incorporate the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS).

    1998

  • THE J. ROBERT GLADDEN ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY IS BORN

    JRGOS became an official AAOS Society with 59 AAOS members serving as founding members of the Gladden Society. Its mission, which remains today, is to serve as the voice for the organization's concerns, to increase the representation of African American and Underrepresented Minorities in Orthopaedic Surgery, and to promote research, education, and the elimination of musculoskeletal healthcare disparities for all.

Physician Membership

Benefits of Physician Membership Include:

Education

  • ACCME Accredited Meetings
  • Preparation for Certification and Recertification Exams
  • Opportunities to Increase Skill Level (see Research Grants)
  • Traveling Fellowships & Professor in Residence Program
  • Skill Course and Didactic Updates (in conjunction with NMA and other Medical Societies)

Practice Assistance

  • Assistance in Practice Location
  • Business of Medicine
  • Practice Opportunities

Research Opportunities

  • Financial & Administrative Support for Scientific Investigation (see Research Grants)
  • Clinical Trials (Investigator Training, Funding Assistance, etc.)

Active Involvement in Organization Infrastructure

  • Opportunities to become involved with and participate in AAOS Committee

Mentoring Opportunities

Criteria for Physician Membership

Physicians certified (or board eligible) by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of Orthopaedics of Canada.

Resident & Fellow Membership

Benefits of Resident & Fellow Membership Include:
  • Introduction to the standards of orthopaedic surgical practices and the ethical principles of practice with a focus on the deliverance of culturally competent care
  • Invitation to participate in all JRGOS activities
  • Access to our Mentoring program
  • Opportunity to receive the JRGOS Newsletter, announcements and general Society publications
  • Access to the Society’s programs:
    • Reduced or sponsored registration fees for the Annual Luncheon and Biennial Meeting
    • Enrollment in JRGOS’ Mock Oral Exam Program
    • Scholarship Opportunities (ie. AAOS Part 1 Review Course)
  • Clinical and Research Fellowship resources and job opportunities
  • Access to the newly developed Resident/Fellow email group
  • Opportunity to be nominated and serve as a voting member of the JRGOS Board of Directors’ Resident/Fellow Board Member
  • Opportunity to work with other JRGOS Members toward the continued diversification of orthopaedic residency training programs and the orthopaedic workforce at large