Savannah Galyon Named 2025 Rising Star of the Year

L to R: Savannah Galyon, Director of Engagement, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance; AAOE Incoming President Andrea Allyn, MBA, ATC

The American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE) is proud to announce Savannah Galyon, Director of Engagement at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA), as the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star of the Year Award. The award was presented at the AAOE Annual Conference in recognition of her exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact early in her career in orthopedic practice management.

The Rising Star of the Year Award honors an AAOE member with one to four years of experience in the field who demonstrates a strong commitment to their organization and the orthopedic industry as a whole. Galyon’s journey at TOA exemplifies the very spirit of this recognition—one marked by initiative, growth, and service.

Beginning as a Patient Care Liaison, Galyon rapidly advanced through multiple leadership roles, including Manager of Patient Access and Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO. Her ability to lead and inspire others soon led to her promotion to Manager of Ancillary Services, where she oversaw MRI, CT, DME, and Quick Care departments. Under her leadership, TOA experienced measurable improvements, including the installation of three new MRI scanners in 18 months and the opening of a new Quick Care location. By introducing rotating staff schedules, she not only improved operational efficiency but also significantly reduced turnover and increased daily appointment availability.

A passionate mentor, Galyon invested in the development of her mid-management team, many of whom have since been promoted to director-level roles. She was also instrumental in shaping TOA’s internal culture by co-founding the C.O.R.E. (Culture, Opportunity, Relational Excellence) Committee. Her influence has since led to the creation of additional committees focused on employee and patient experience, as well as servant leadership—each becoming integral to TOA’s organizational framework.

Now serving as the Director of Engagement for TOA’s East Tennessee market, Galyon is driving efforts to expand these successful programs across the state.

“Savannah Galyon embodies everything the Rising Star Award was created to celebrate,” said Joseph Mathews, PT, DPT, AAOE President and Practice Administrator, Advanced Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, a division of OrthoLonestar. “Her passion for culture, leadership development, and operational excellence is inspiring. She represents the next generation of orthopedic practice leaders—those who elevate their teams, transform organizations, and carry the profession forward.”