American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons announces James W. Barber, MD, FAAOS, as chair of Board of Councilors
NEW ORLEANS (March 4, 2026)—Georgia orthopaedic surgeon James W. Barber, MD, FAAOS, has been named chair of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Board of Councilors (BOC). Dr. Barber will assume the chair position following the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
James W. Barber, MD, FAAOS
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Dr. Barber has been an active leader within the AAOS, serving as a member of the AAOS Board of Directors (BOD) and in multiple leadership roles within the BOC, including secretary and chair-elect. His dedication to advancing musculoskeletal health and strengthening physician advocacy has led to appointments on key committees, including Joint BOC/Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) Bylaws Review Committee and Professionalism Committee. In his role as a BOC leader and member of the Board, he has served on the Education Council, Research and Quality Council and the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Barber is also a graduate of the former AAOS Leadership Fellows Program (LFP).
Beyond the AAOS, Dr. Barber’s leadership extends into state and regional advocacy and professional service. He is a past president of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society and currently serves as speaker of the House of Delegates for the Medical Association of Georgia, where he has also held leadership positions, including vice speaker. Dr. Barber was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to serve as chair of the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce and he is unit commander of the South Georgia MAG Medical Reserve Corps. Dr. Barber is also active in community and civic leadership and serves on the boards of the Douglas Community Foundation and the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross, Ga.
Dr. Barber has been in private practice in Douglas, Georgia, since 1998. He is an orthopaedic surgeon with Southeastern Orthopaedics and practices at the Southeastern Orthopaedics Surgery Center. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Georgia Baptist Medical Center (Atlanta Medical Center). Dr. Barber is a graduate of the Medical Association of Georgia’s Physicians Leadership Academy and Leadership Georgia.
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About AAOS
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level to best treat patients in their daily practices. AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.
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For more information, contact:
| Nicole Winston-Ramirez | 847-384-4162 | winston-ramirez@aaos.org |
| Deanna Killackey | 847-384-4035 | killackey@aaos.org |