#AAOE26: 3 Minutes with Karrie Fields and Theressa Holt

At this year’s AAOE Annual Conference, taking place April 20-22 in Louisville, Kentucky, Theressa Holt and Karrie Fields will challenge how you think about managing a remote workforce. We asked them a few quick questions to preview their session—and the answers were too good not to share. 

SESSION: Managing Remote Teams in a Post-COVID World 

Speakers:

• Theressa Holt, Practice Administrator, All American Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
• Karrie Fields, FACMPE, Division CEO, The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics

1. What’s one myth or outdated practice you’re going to bust in your session—and why does it matter now more than ever? 

That remote work means lower productivity. We’ll show how clear expectations, trust, and communication create high-performing happier teams—increasing staff retention. 

2. What’s a mistake you see practices make over and over again—and what could they do instead? 

Assuming proximity equals performance. Instead, manage by results and build systems for visibility, accountability, and recognition—regardless of location. 

3. What’s one idea from your session that attendees can implement the next day—and what kind of results could it unlock? 

Schedule a “connection” with your remote/hybrid team. Are they clear on goals? Do they feel seen and connected? Do they have everything they need to complete expected tasks? Just asking the questions can improve engagement immediately. 

4. If you could sit next to a first-time attendee during your session, what would you whisper in their ear to help them get the most out of it? 

“Successful remote teams are possible.  Trust managing the workflow and not seeing the people.” 

5. What’s something you wish you had known earlier in your career that you’ll be sharing with attendees? 

That remote management is a skillset—not just a logistical shift. It’s learnable, coachable, and vital to future-proofing leadership. 

6. Why should someone who’s still on the fence about attending the conference not miss your session? 

Because hybrid work is here to stay, allowing you to hire the best staff – not the closest staff. If you don’t know how to lead distributed teams effectively, you’re already behind. 

7. What’s one trend in healthcare—or in orthopedics specifically—that’s influencing your session topic right now? 

Workforce shortages and burnout are pushing flexible models forward. Practices that adapt will attract better talent and retain happier, more productive teams. 

Seats are filling fast—don’t miss your chance to learn from these and dozens of other experts at #AAOE2026. Did you know that over 60% of the speakers are AAOE members? They “get it” when it comes to smart orthopedic/MSK practice management!

Register Now: https://bit.ly/speaker-insights