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Empowering Orthopaedic Leaders Through Innovation & Excellence

The AOA APEX Leadership Certificate Program, in partnership with the USC Marshall School of Business, is a transformative five-month hybrid leadership development experience designed exclusively for orthopaedic surgeons. Rooted in the AOA Leadership Principles—Include, Envision, Balance, Orchestrate, and Grow—this cohort-based program cultivates the leadership skills necessary to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape with confidence and impact.

A Guided Learning Experience

Participants will engage in a dynamic blend of in-person and virtual sessions, led by world-renowned USC Marshall faculty and experienced APEX alumni. The program provides personalized leadership insights, hands-on experiential learning, and tailored discussions contextualized for the orthopaedic surgeon community.

 It will consist of a 5-month program which will include two in person modules (June at the AOA Annual Leadership Meeting and September at USC), and two online modules in July and August. Participants are encouraged to register for the Cohort Model Package for a reduced fee or may register for a single individual session in June. 

Dates & Locations

• Orientation Webinar: Monday, May 5, 2025 @4:00pm CT
   
• Program Kickoff - Personal Leadership & SDI: Saturday, June 7, 2025 @8:00am CT (Minneapolis, MN)
  • Launching immediately after the AOA Annual Meeting, participants will spend a full day with USC Faculty Greg Patton.
  • Using the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) 2.0 assessment, participants will examine their leadership styles, motivations, and interpersonal dynamics to enhance self-awareness and effectiveness.
     
• Two Virtual Leadership Workshops (90-Minute Sessions) - Influencing with the Power of Persuasion: Monday, July 14, 2025 @7:00pm CT & Monday, August 11, 2025 @7:00pm CT 
  • Led by USC Faculty Jay Conger, a global authority on leadership development, these interactive sessions will focus on Influence & Persuasion:
    • Essential techniques to lead, inspire, and drive change in healthcare teams and organizations.
    • How to influence in all directions (up, down & lateral).
       
• Program Capstone - Leading Your Team: Friday, September 26-27, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA - USC Campus) 
  • The program culminates with an immersive in-person experience at the USC Marshall School of Business:
    • Team Leadership – Leading high-performance teams in complex environments.
    • Using Narratives to Communicate Well – Mastering storytelling to enhance leadership presence and impact.
    • Productive Dialogue – Navigating difficult conversations with clarity and effectiveness. 

Participants will engage in a leadership simulation at the USC Marshall Experiential Learning Center, putting their skills into action and learning by doing.

APEX Alumni Ambassadors – Your Leadership Guides

Two APEX Alumni Ambassadors will serve as key mentors, helping to bridge program content with real-world orthopaedic leadership challenges. Their insights and experiences will ensure the practical application of leadership strategies within the unique demands of orthopaedic surgery.

Pricing 

• APEX Leadership Certificate Program - Cohort Model (AOA Member, EL, Emeritus Price): $5,500.00 
  Changes to $5,700.00 after March 17, 2025
  Changes to $5,900.00 after April 7, 2025 
• APEX Leadership Certificate Program - Cohort Model (Non-Member Price): $5,800.00 
  Changes to $6,000.00 after March 17, 2025
  Changes to $6,200.00 after April 7, 2025
• APEX Leadership Certificate Program - June Module ONLY: $2,995.00 
  Changes to $3,195.00 after March 17, 2025
  Changes to $3,395.00 after April 7, 2025

Cancellation Policy: 
• 20% cancellation fee between registration open date and 6 weeks in advance of event 
• 50% cancellation fee 3-6 weeks out 
• Less than 3 weeks no refund

*NOTE: All cancellations and refund requests must be in writing. This policy applies to all forms of payment.