AAOS 2026: Dr. Wilford K. Gibson Named AAOS President

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has named Virginia orthopedic surgeon Wilford K. Gibson, MD, FAAOS as its new president.

Dr. Gibson will take on the role after this week’s AAOS annual meeting. It marks his third year of a four-year term of volunteer service on the board of directors, having served in the roles of first and second vice president.

“It is a privilege to serve as president of the AAOS,” said Dr. Gibson. “AAOS is strongest when we work together to engage our members, serve our profession, and advocate for our patients. I look forward to leading with a service-driven mindset that strengthens our culture, amplifies our collective voice, and advances excellence in musculoskeletal care.”

Dr. Gibson has over a decade of leadership experience in the AAOS, including chair of the Board of Councilors (BOC) from 2014-2015, chair of the Advocacy Council from 2017-2021, and most recently in the leadership line of the AAOS. He served on the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (Orthopaedic PAC) for almost a decade and was honored as the 2022 AAOS Congressional Ambassador of the Year.

His commitment to leadership and patient care began with a distinguished service in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the USS Nassau for Caribbean and Mediterranean deployments and his service was recognized with the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal, Navy “E” and sea service ribbons.

Dr. Gibson was chief of the Division of Orthopaedics at Eastern Virginia Medical School from 1994-2001, where he continues to teach and mentor students and future generations of orthopedic surgeons. His leadership in the Virginia Orthopaedic Society earned him the society’s 2014 President’s Award and 2015 Career Lifetime Achievement Award.

In civilian practice, Dr. Gibson is a partner at Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists, specializing in patient-specific and robotic hip and knee replacement with minimally invasive surgical techniques. He also serves as a volunteer team physician for Old Dominion University football and basketball programs.

He also holds academic appointments as associate professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School and clinical assistant professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md.

“Orthopedic surgery faces a complex, rapidly evolving landscape,” said Dr. Gibson. “Building on my predecessors’ strong foundation, I am eager to meet these challenges as opportunities to strengthen our profession, improve patient care, and advance musculoskeletal health together.”