Dear ASES Members:

             I hope every member of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons started the new year on a great note. Of the multiple topics that I would like to cover during my presidential year, I selected Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as an essential element of the life of our Society that I would love for all of us to consider as we execute the various American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons activities for the 2025 calendar year and beyond.

             Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) have become buzzwords, but for American Shoulder and Elbow surgeons these three words should have true significance. Even though these three words walk hand in hand, they do have different meanings, and they are all important.

             Diversity encompasses the unique attributes, characteristics, skills and experiences that make each of us who we are. Gender and ethnicity are the two attributes that come to most people’s mind when diversity is mentioned. However, we are all diverse by virtue of many other attributes: age, professional expertise, socioeconomic background, religion, political affiliations, and other. Within ASES, diversity enriches our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the global healthcare community. It also ensures that the care we provide to our patients is informed by a variety of perspectives, hopefully leading to greater innovation and better outcomes.

             Equity is paramount to fairness. It is about creating conditions where everyone has access to the same resources and opportunities to succeed. It may require addressing barriers that disadvantage certain groups. Our obligation is to our patients and our members. ASES should contribute to provide equal access to all patients who need shoulder or elbow care. ASES should also provide equal access to all members that are interested in benefiting from our society activities and resources or interested in serving ASES at various levels.

             Inclusion fosters a sense of belonging. It requires deliberate efforts to create an environment where all individuals are listened to and feel valued, respected and supported. No other professional society better than ASES to cultivate a culture where each and every member can contribute authentically and meaningfully to our collective mission.

             We are extremely lucky to have two wonderful members who currently volunteer as Chairs of the ASES DEI Committee, Dr. Sara Edwards and Dr. Stephanie Muh. There are a number of DEI achievements we can celebrate under their leadership: advisory role when faculty is selected for various programs, selection of scholars for the Nth Dimensions summer internship, funding support for underserved individuals that wish to attend the ASES Fellows and Residents Course, and further collaboration with Nth Dimensions and other organizations to bring high school, college and medical students to our Annual Meeting and expose them to what ASES has to offer.

             If you have a passion for DEI, please consider applying to become a member of the ASES DEI Committee in the next cycle. If you have a desire to help train underserved individuals, please volunteer for the Nth Dimensions summer internship. If you hold any leadership position at ASES currently, always filter your activities under the lens of DEI. And when we all get together at courses, meetings, the National Shoulder and Elbow week events, and other networking opportunities, please embrace diversity and equity, and make sure that people around you feel valued and have a voice. When we help each other up, we rise together!

Respectfully yours,