The Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons was founded by a group of orthopaedic surgeons with the mission to advance patient care through thoughtful exchange of ideas.  Of paramount importance was the mandate to commit to long-term relationships with other members and their families.  Indeed, over the past 15 years, this group has become an extended family with deep connections that extend far beyond the boundaries of our profession.

The members of ACESS value the diversity of experiences that each member brings, across race and ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexuality.  However, the organization understands that there is far more that must be done to meets its societal responsibility to reflect the entire spectrum of diversity of our professional community and the patients whom we serve.  Moreover, our members appreciate our role as stewards of the health and wellness of all of our patients, and of our communities.  We value the importance of bearing witness to injustice when it occurs, and of understanding the impact of systemic inequality on the lives of our patients and fellow citizens.

Recent events, including the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, have brought into stark relief our organization’s responsibility to confront the trauma, fear, and justifiable anger Black Americans experience as they navigate their world.  The members of ACESS stand with our colleagues and patients in the struggle to address the painful and unjust treatment of Black Americans, past and present.  We commit to following words with action, and will incorporate this recognition into the mission of our organization moving forward.

We stand united for Black lives.  We stand united for inclusion and diversity in orthopaedic surgery.  And we stand united to work to resolve health and health care disparities.