Volunteer Voices: Spotlight on John Slusar
What made you decide to volunteer with AAOE and what words of encouragement do you have for others that may consider doing so?
I volunteered because AAOE put me in the room with the practice executives that HealthMe serves, and the best way to be useful in a community like this is to show up and contribute. My advice to anyone thinking about it is simple: raise your hand, because you will get back far more than you put in.
Which AAOE benefit or service do you use most and why?
AAOE 2027 Annual Conference April 17–20, 2027 | Fort Worth, Texas
Pre-Conference April 17 • Education April 18–20 • Expo Hall April 18–19
Why are you enthusiastic about the orthopedic practice profession?
After having two orthopedic surgeries in the last 12 months, my quality of life jumped dramatically. I have seen firsthand the profound impact this profession has. We need our best minds in this field, which is why private practices matter so much.
My worry is the current math. Between rising tuition and declining reimbursement, we are burning out the surgeons we have and pushing too many bright young people away from medicine at the exact moment we need them most. We have moved too far from making this a rewarding career, and we have to find our way back. I believe that raising the quality of care and making it more accessible actually requires paying doctors more and simplifying the relationship between patients and doctors. Finding like-minded companies who see it the same way has been a real reward, and AAOE is critical because it helps private practices maintain their independence and grow.
Connected, energized, and grateful.