Augusto Sarmiento, MD

Interviewed by Kyle Jeray, MD

How did you become active in Academy affairs? Did you have a mentor or someone that introduced you to the Academy? Was there a specific objective to becoming active in the Academy?

Dr. Sarmiento first became interested in AAOS affairs when he was invited to serve as a committee member. He did not recognize anyone as a mentor at that time in the Academy, but was interested in becoming involved in a "great organization."

Is there a particular public figure or historical figure whose leadership style you admire? In what ways have you tried to emulate him or her?

Within the Academy he felt that Dr. Frank Stinchfield was a role model for him to try to emulate. He displayed great leadership skills most notably a vision with direction and a commitment to excellence.

What acts of leadership, either within the Academy or in public life, impressed you? Please describe and tell us why.

As noted above, the qualities displayed by Dr. Stinchfield as Academy President were memorable for Dr. Sarmiento. He felt that Dr. Stinchfield's vision and direction for the Academy early on directly contributed to its success that is current today.

What leadership skills do you think are most important in an Academy president? During your career, is there an Academy president who style you tried to emulate. Why?

Two of the most important skills for the Academy President or anyone in a leadership position are honesty and straightforwardness. Without these skills/qualities it is difficult to have the support and trust of all the Academy fellows. And this makes it difficult to lead an organization to bigger and better things. Dr. Stinchfield and Dr. Walter Hoyt were the past presidents that Dr. Sarmiento most admired for their skills and qualities as noted above.

What advice would you share with young orthopaedic surgeons just beginning their careers? Why should they become involved with the Academy? How did your involvement with the Academy teach you leadership skills?

Get involved! Be honest! The mission of the Academy is to serve the profession, champion the interests of patients, and advance the highest quality musculoskeletal health. Supporting this mission and advancing it is why you should become involved.

During your tenure as Academy president, what were the key leadership challenges and how did you deal with them? In retrospect, would you have handled them differently?

The biggest challenges Dr. Sarmiento faced as Academy President and feels we are still facing, if not even more so, today were and are: 1.The growing loss of professionalism and ethical infractions 2. The exaggerated commercialization of medicine 3. Industry's increasing control of the education of the orthopaedist 4. The exaggerated fragmentation of orthopaedics from within and its erosion from without and 5. The neglect of basic sciences and the obsession with technologic answers to orthopaedic problems. The issues raised above in retrospect could have been handled differently, however Dr. Sarmiento did not know how he would have done it.

As President of the Academy, what achievements were you most proud of? Can you describe the leadership challenges that these achievements presented? How did you overcome them?

As President he was most proud to have brought to the front the issues mentioned above in the first 5 questions. He also feels that both the Academy and the fellowship have not been sufficiently interested in forcefully addressing these issues.

What achievements in your own career are you the most proud of?

His greatest achievement in his career has been the opportunity to share his values and knowledge with hundreds of residents.

Who, in your estimation, were the greatest orthopaedic leaders? Please explain why.

In modern times the greatest orthopaedic leaders have been John Charnley, Austin Moore, K. Kuntschner, Maurice Muller and Mark Coventry primarily for their insight and cutting edge ideas into furthering the treatment of patients with orthopaedic problems. All of them embody the values and principles highlighted in the mission statement for the Academy above.

How has being active in the Academy helped you in your professional practice?

Dr. Sarmiento stated that he did not know how to answer this question.

What do you believe are the most critical issues facing orthopaedic surgeons today?

The same issues facing orthopaedic surgery when he was present (see list above 1-5) are still here today and if anything may be more problematic than ever.

Finally, the age old question: Are leaders born or are they made?

In Dr. Sarmiento's opinion leaders are born, but they need to be nurtured to become true leaders. Activities such as those like the LFP program are valuable in nurturing these potential leaders.