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Lessons in Orthopaedic Leadership: An AOA PodcastAuthor: The American Orthopaedic Association
Members and affiliates of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) interview guests to highlight lessons in orthopaedic leadership. Interviews include orthopaedic leaders, faculty and leaders within orthopaedic departments at academic institutions and large practices, health care system leaders, rising leaders, and other medical leaders. Thanks to @iampetermartin for his contribution of introduction and conclusion jazz music. Language: en-us Genres: Business, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Leading Up In Academic Orthopaedics: How A Former Department Chair Found Purpose, Balance, And Influence Without The Title
Monday, 12 January, 2026
What happens when a respected orthopaedic chair steps away from the big title to get back to the OR, residents, and real day-to-day impact? We sit down with Dr. Keith Kenter to unpack a rare leadership arc—building an academic culture in Kalamazoo, navigating post-COVID administrative sprawl, and ultimately returning to Missouri to reclaim core values: teaching, operating, and mentoring. It’s a candid look at ego, identity, and the quiet power of influence without authority.Dr. Kenter shares how he elevated scholarly activity, promoted faculty, and designed a longitudinal musculoskeletal education program, then watched his role expand across multiple surgical services until the clinical work he loved slipped out of reach. Family, foresight, and timing opened a door at Mizzou, where strong culture and deep bench strength offered collaboration, patient-first focus, and the daily satisfaction of training the next generation.If the story resonates, follow the show, share with a colleague, and leave a review with your biggest “leading up” takeaway. Your feedback helps more clinicians find conversations that move our profession forward.













