Looking to the future: New AO President Tim Pohlemann brings a focus on innovation and excellence in patient care

Prof Tim Pohlemann, MD, today stands at the helm of the AO, the premier trauma and musculoskeletal education, innovation, and research organization he first encountered as a trauma resident in 1984. Pohlemann was inaugurated as AO President at the AO Trustees Meeting 2023 in Sydney, Australia, and brings to the role a vision of strengthening the AO’s position as a global leader in musculoskeletal surgery, with a focus on driving innovation and excellence in patient care.

Succeeding AO Immediate Past President Florian Gebhard, Pohlemann in the coming two years will lead the AO Foundation Board (AO FB) and oversee its strategic direction while collaborating with the AO’s leadership team and staff to develop new initiatives and programs that support the organization's mission and goals.

A widely respected orthopedic trauma surgeon, educator, and developer of new surgical techniques and devices, Pohlemann has to his credit more than 30 years of AO service, from organizing and teaching AO courses to senior AO leadership roles, including serving as chairperson of the AO Technical Commission Executive Board and AO FB membership. He is a full professor of traumatology and reconstructive surgery at Saarland University (Homburg, Germany) and chairs the university hospital’s department of trauma, hand, and reconstructive surgery.