The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is recognizing three of its members for their work in advancing musculoskeletal care, strengthening the profession, and improving patients’ lives. The organization recently bestowed upon the honorees the Impact Award, Humanitarian Award, and William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award.

“AAOS is honored to recognize the impact of these three distinguished members of our profession,” AAOS President Wilford K. Gibson, M.D., said. “This year’s recipients have chosen to not only practice orthopedics, but to dedicate themselves to affecting change within the specialty, among the people who practice it, and the patients they serve. Their efforts and dedication should be an example to us all.”

AAOS Impact Award

Erica D. Taylor, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon at Duke Health, received the 2026 AAOS Impact Award for her leadership in expanding access to orthopedic care and strengthening U.S. pathways into the profession. A nationally recognized clinical and systems leader, Dr. Taylor committed to a career in orthopedic surgery at age 15—inspired by her mother, a lifelong educator, and her father, NFL Hall of Famer Charley Taylor.

At Duke Health, Dr. Taylor is vice president of health equity and vice chair of culture, engagement, and impact within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, leading strategy at the intersection of quality, clinical operations, and access to care. She also serves on the faculty at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, teaching organizational dynamics and the delivery of high-quality care across diverse communities. She is the founder of a national leadership consortium that equips clinicians and healthcare leaders with practical tools to strengthen the orthopedic workforce and improve care delivery.

Over the years, Dr. Taylor has mentored hundreds of students, residents, and early-career surgeons, and has partnered with institutions nationwide to develop scalable strategies that advance the field. Her work has also influenced the way orthopedic leaders and medtech partners collaborate, strengthening alignment between innovation, clinical practice, and patient care. Through her leadership, mentorship, and systems-based approach, Dr. Taylor is helping build the next generation of orthopedic surgeons, improve care delivery, and prepare the field for the future.

“I have observed Dr. Taylor in a variety of different leadership roles, both in her hospital institution and in national organizations, always delivering a clear message of inclusion,” stated Micah K. Sinclair, M.D., a pediatric orthopedic hand surgeon at Shriners Children’s Northern California Hospital. “Dr. Taylor thinks outside of the box and continually works to educate herself and those around her, fostering competence and inclusivity in the delivery of compassionate and humanistic care.”

AAOS Humanitarian Award

Gregory M. Mundis Jr., M.D., received the AAOS 2026 Humanitarian Award for his musculoskeletal-related humanitarian work in the United States and abroad. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego, president of the San Diego Spine Foundation, director of the San Diego Spine Fellowship, and a board member of Global Spine Outreach.

Raised in a missionary family and inspired by early experiences abroad, Dr. Mundis has dedicated his career to providing life-saving spine deformity care for children who would otherwise have no access. He has led medical mission programs in Mexico, South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, establishing sustainable sites, hosting deformity symposia, and training surgeons to continue these efforts. Working closely with local surgeons, hospital partners, and his own GSO team, he emphasizes collaboration and mentorship as keys to lasting impact.

Committed to inspiring the next generation, Dr. Mundis offers clinical fellows in his program the opportunity to participate in at least one medical mission trip during training, ensuring that his humanitarian work creates a legacy of service and leadership.

“Dr. Mundis leads with poise, joy, energy, and a spirit of selflessness that is truly contagious,” commented Behrooz A. Akbarnia, M.D., a clinical professor at the University of California-San Diego. “I have had the privilege of watching him grow into an extraordinary surgeon and leader, and I am better for having been part of that journey. Dr. Mundis is a living example of what it means to be a true humanitarian.”

William J. Tipton Jr., M.D., Leadership Award

Kristy L. Weber, M.D., is the 2026 William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award recipient, becoming the first woman to receive the honor. The Tipton Leadership Award honors AAOS Active Fellows or Candidate Members who demonstrate outstanding leadership benefiting the orthopedic community, patients, and the American public.

A nationally and internationally recognized leader, Dr. Weber served as the first woman president of the AAOS Board of Directors in 2019 and has held leadership roles with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, and the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance. During her AAOS presidency, she advanced governance reform, strengthened organizational structure, and helped launch a new strategic plan. She also built and led high-performing, multidisciplinary sarcoma programs at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania, earning national recognition for clinical excellence and research, including the Kappa Delta Award.

Beyond orthopedics, Dr. Weber recently pursued climate and environmental initiatives in medicine, and she continues to champion diversity and mentorship as president of the Perry Initiative Board of Directors. Her work has been recognized with awards for professionalism and advancement of women in medicine, underscoring her lasting impact on the field.

“Throughout her career, Dr. Weber has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the field of orthopedic surgery for patients, colleagues, and future generations of leaders. Her leadership is not defined by rhetoric but by meaningful action,” said AAOS Second Vice President Elizabeth G. Matzkin, M.D. “She has devoted countless hours in service roles and leadership positions, consistently working to strengthen the culture of orthopedics and to expand opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities. With Dr. Weber, there are no empty words or promises—only sustained impact.”

With more than 39,000 members, AAOS is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The organization advances musculoskeletal health by providing comprehensive education to help orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals best treat patients in their daily practices. AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.