The 2017 American Orthopaedic Association North American Traveling Fellowship

Initially established in 1967, the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) North American Traveling Fellowship was designed to promote leadership development, network creation, and knowledge exchange among emerging leaders in orthopaedic surgery, and it remains one of the AOA's flagship tours. In 2017, the fellows visited 10 academic medical centers on the West Coast of Canada and the United States, participating in leadership, academic, clinical, and team-building activities. On the tour, we formed countless new friendships and collaborations, including exceptionally strong ones with each other. Because the 5 fellows came from diverse social, ethnic, religious, political, educational, and clinical backgrounds, the group discussions were lively and engaging. We all agree that the friendships that were made, the experiences that were encountered, and the lessons that were learned during the tour are priceless and will never be forgotten.