The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) recognizes the transformational contributions of individuals and organizations by the naming of a program, fellowship, lecture, or other offering, referred to hereafter as “Program/Program Components.”

This policy establishes a uniform and consistent procedure to gain AOA approval and to record these naming privileges for designated AOA Program/Program Components. AOA Executive Committee approval is required before the naming of any Program/Program Components.

Intent
Naming Parameters/Policies
Donor

The primary intent of the naming process is to allow the AOA to recognize the important contributions of an individual, family, group, or organization to the AOA or of a person, group of people, or organization that represents the ideals and values of the AOA.

Even though Program/Project Components naming is appropriate and meant to recognize important financial contributions to the AOA, perception should be considered when deliberating upon the appropriateness/inappropriateness of a possible name. Examples of this concept include:

Appropriate:

Name a Program/Project Component after a significant donor, as defined below

Inappropriate:

Naming Program/Projects after an elected official while s/he are in office and may possibly jeopardize the organization’s tax status
Naming a policy-making entity of the AOA (i.e., Executive Committee)