Volunteer Voices: Spotlight on Kala O'Connor
Date postedJuly 6, 2026
The Volunteer Voice for this issue is provided by Kala O'Connor, Marketing Director at Signature Medical Group in St. Louis, Missouri. Kala was recently recognized for her service on the AAOE Young and New Professionals Council. Last month, she shared her knowledge with peers when she facilitated a virtual marketing roundtable presented by the council. We are grateful to Kala for her commitment to AAOE and for passing along her expertise and insights.
What made you decide to volunteer with AAOE and what words of encouragement do you have for others that may consider doing so?
After years of being an AAOE member, I decided I wanted to do more within the organization, both to give back and to develop professionally. I highly recommend joining a council because the camaraderie alone is worth the time spent. It’s so nice to talk shop with other professionals who truly get what you’re experiencing on a daily basis. I feel engaged, excited, and eager about my volunteer service on the Young and New Professionals Council.
Which AAOE benefit or service do you use most and why?
The annual conference is one of the few conferences I’ve attended that I’d recommend each year without hesitation. It’s rare that such an event offers so many beneficial and rewarding sessions, and I always leave feeling better equipped to take on challenges back home. I encourage you to plan now to attend the AAOE 2027 Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas from April 18-20.
Why are you enthusiastic about the orthopedic practice profession?
Each day in orthopedics is different; as a marketer, one day I could be filming a patient testimonial; the next, I could be working a booth at a community health event and engaging with the public; another day, I might get to scrub in to watch a surgeon pilot a new surgical technology … it’s varied, fun, and always interesting.
Cheers to Kala for your dedication to AAOE and your enthusiasm for all things orthopedics!