Volunteer Voices: Spotlight on April Johnson

AAOE proudly shares April Johnson's Volunteer Voice. April is the Chief Operating Officer of Texas Orthopaedic Associates, a division of OrthoLoneStar in Dallas, Texas. We recently recognized April for her service on the Membership Council.

After attending a handful of AAOE conferences, April found not only valuable education and leadership development, but also a welcoming community that helped shape her professional journey. Inspired by the support she received as a first-time attendee, she chose to volunteer to help others feel equally encouraged and connected. We are pleased to share April's inspiring voice.

I’ve attended AAOE conferences for the past five years, and each one has provided new insights that have helped me continue developing my skill set within my practice. I still remember feeling a bit intimidated during my first conference and first professional association experience. However, the volunteers were incredibly welcoming, supportive, and eager to help.

That experience inspired me to become involved and give back to others — especially first-time attendees who may be feeling the same way I once did. My encouragement to anyone considering volunteering is to take the leap. AAOE is a collaborative and supportive community, and volunteering is a great way to grow professionally while building meaningful connections with peers across the industry.

I joined the Membership Council mid-term and immediately felt welcomed by the members already involved. From the beginning, I felt engaged in meaningful discussions and collaborative efforts focused on enhancing the member experience. It was especially inspiring to see ideas shared within the Council come to life at this past conference, and I’m grateful to be part of a team so committed to supporting and connecting orthopedic leaders. My volunteer service makes me feel welcomed, engaged, and inspired.

The collaboration and professional connections have been the most rewarding benefits of my AAOE membership. It’s encouraging to connect with peers from practices across the country who are often navigating many of the same challenges.

I attended my first AAOE conference shortly after transitioning from a Manager role into a Director position. At the time, I felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the new role, but the conference came at exactly the right moment. Being surrounded by orthopedic leaders with varying levels of experience, backgrounds, and practice structures reminded me that I wasn’t alone. I left with greater confidence in my leadership abilities and in the value I could continue bringing back to my practice.

Orthopedics is such a rewarding specialty because of the variety of subspecialties, patient populations, and unique challenges each practice experiences. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented physicians and providers who are deeply committed to improving patients’ quality of life.

What continues to inspire me, even after more than ten years in the field, is seeing patients recover from significant injuries or conditions and return to the activities and lifestyles they enjoy. Being part of a profession that makes such a meaningful impact on patients’ lives is what continues to make orthopedic practice so fulfilling to me.

Gratitude to April for her leadership, encouragement, and commitment to strengthening the orthopedic community!