2025 AOA American-British-Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship
Dr. Xinning “Tiger” Li was honored with the 2025 American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) American-British-Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship, a distinction awarded every two years to only five emerging board-certified orthopaedic leaders in the United States. The ABC fellowship, often regarded as the “jewel of Traveling Fellowships,” was first conceived in 1955 and recognizes early contributions to orthopaedics. This fellowship aims to develop leadership skills, connect fellows with orthopaedic leaders, and prepare them for the challenges of leading and improving the specialty.
In May 2025, Dr. Li and fellow recipients embarked on a transformative five-week journey through leading orthopaedic centers across the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, offering a unique blend of clinical observation, academic exchange, and leadership development. In London, he visited the University College London Hospital and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore to discuss healthcare systems and the NHS. He engaged in conversations surrounding innovation and current plans for advancing research with members of The Bone and Joint Journal. He attended the 51st Annual Combined Services Orthopaedic Society meeting in Warwick, shared leadership insights at Leicester and Northhamptonshire NHS Trust, and participated in trauma conferences and clinical discussions in Belfast, where he also presented a lecture on posterior shoulder instability. In Newcastle, he engaged with top NHS consultants on arthritis research, clinical trials, robotics, and ACL surgery augmentation. In Scotland, he observed complex cases at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Unit, gaining insight into centralized care for spinal cord injuries. In Australia, he visited the Royal Adelaide and Canberra Hospitals, exploring advanced gait, biomechanics, and basic science laboratories, and participated in inspiring scientific talks. Finally, in New Zealand, he joined seminars on healthcare leadership in Queenstown, Christchurch, and Auckland, sharing perspectives and learning from local experts while participating in cultural and academic exchanges. Across five weeks and more than ten institutions, Dr. Li’s fellowship combined cutting-edge orthopaedic practice, research, and leadership development, leaving a lasting impact on his approach to patient care and innovation in the field.
