Ruschell Gladden Named 2025 Volunteer of the Year Winner
L to R: Joseph Mathews, PT, DPT, AAOE President; Ruschell Gladden, Director of Patient Access, Midlands Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. May 8, 2025—The American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE) is proud to announce Ruschell Gladden, Director of Patient Access at Midlands Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, as the recipient of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to a member whose extraordinary volunteerism, commitment, and leadership have left a lasting mark on the AAOE community and advanced the mission of the organization.
Ruschell’s contributions to AAOE have been both wide-ranging and deeply impactful. As a highly engaged volunteer, she has served on the Membership Council and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, helping to grow and shape the future of the AAOE membership. Her talent for mentorship, advocacy, and community-building has helped bring new members into the organization while ensuring current members feel supported, valued, and inspired.
An energetic and compelling speaker, Ruschell has shared her insights at national AAOE events, including the inaugural in-person Women in Practice Management Conference and the Annual Conference. Her presentations are known for being both informative and empowering—especially for those new to orthopedic practice management. Ruschell has built a reputation as someone who gives freely of her time and expertise, always ready to lift up others in the field with encouragement and guidance.
“Ruschell embodies the very spirit of what makes the AAOE community so special,” said Joseph Mathews, PT, DPT, AAOE President and Practice Administrator, Advanced Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, a division of OrthoLonestar. “She leads with heart and integrity, and her commitment to lifting up others—especially newer members—is truly inspiring. Ruschell has a gift for turning connections into community, and her impact will be felt by our members for years to come.”
Known for her infectious positivity and deep belief in the power of collaboration, Ruschell brings a vibrant presence to every committee meeting, panel, and hallway conversation. Whether she’s mentoring a peer, guiding a team, or welcoming a new member, Ruschell leads by example—and with purpose.
The AAOE Volunteer of the Year Award is a testament to the transformative role that volunteers play in strengthening the orthopedic practice management profession. Ruschell Gladden’s example sets a high bar for service, passion, and dedication, and the AAOE community is proud to celebrate her accomplishments.
About AAOE
The American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives was founded in 1969 and is the only nonprofit orthopaedic-management specific organization developed to serve the musculoskeletal industry. Membership includes more than 1,200 orthopedic practice executives, administrators, physicians, and their staff. AAOE provides education, community, and resources to set the standard of professional knowledge and industry insight. For more information, visit www.aaoe.net.