We connect the nation's premier, large orthopaedic groups
We are committed to help position our member groups to thrive in the face of new industry challenges and lead in shaping the delivery of value based care.
Who We Are
The OrthoForum is a national physician specialty organization whose membership includes many of the largest privately-owned orthopaedic practices in the United States.
The OrthoForum was established to meet the unique challenges that integrated orthopaedic group practices face in today’s health care environment. Each member is individually selected to participate in activities that advance each group’s presence in its local and regional markets through benchmarking, innovation, business ventures, networking and best practices.
Highlighted service offerings include the most comprehensive orthopaedic practice benchmarking data system in the nation and an annual series of meetings that fosters member networking and individual interactions. This is supported by opportunities throughout the year to gain information and education through listserv communications, surveys, webinars, conference calls and one-on-one contacts. The overarching theme is the utilization of a learning community where every member is encouraged to participate. Emphasis is placed on achieving improved operating and strategic performance through best practices and shared knowledge.
Both as an organization, and through its individual members, the OrthoForum is politically engaged to protect independent orthopaedic group practice. Our member groups face many federal and state policy issues that impact their ability to provide quality and cost-effective care to their patients. The OrthoForum advocacy team regularly develops strategies and actions to defend independent practice, placing the highest priority on patient access, efficient treatment processes and reduced cost. To support our efforts we collaborate with key stakeholders nationwide to strengthen our message, including other orthopaedic and medical associations, patient advocacy organizations and other likeminded industry groups.
The OrthoForum has established itself as one of the nation’s foremost authorities for orthopaedic business management. Our extensive benchmarking data system remains as the factual backbone to identifying best practices and setting reliable performance objectives. In addition, we are committed to help strategically position our member groups to not only thrive in the face of new industry challenges but lead in shaping the delivery of value-based care.
Our Pillars
Networking
The power of sharing data, information, trends and best practices between OrthoForum members opens opportunities for growth and a continued understanding of the evolving world of healthcare.
Benchmarking
The OrthoForum provides comprehensive benchmarking to help identify best practices and performance objectives for our members.
Advocacy
The OrthoForum believes that the highest quality, most cost-effective delivery of orthopaedic medicine is done through private practice groups. To support this belief, the OrthoForum is committed to actively advocating for its purposes and public positions.
Innovation
The OrthoForum is regularly generating new ideas for services or initiatives that can leverage the collective strength of our members and meet operational or strategic needs of the groups.
Meet the OrthoForum Team
Glenn Sumner, CEO
As CEO, Glenn is responsible for leading the overall OrthoForum organization. He primarily works with the Board, spearheads new initiatives and helps coordinate the content for our various meetings.
Dave Stridde, COO
As COO, Dave is responsible for overseeing the business operations of the OrthoForum organization. Dave works with Glenn and the Board to ensure that the organization has appropriate staffing, infrastructure and policies in place to deliver the core offerings and implement any new initiatives. Dave is also the Director of the OrthoForum Purchasing Alliance (OPA).
Tina Cakmes, Director of Conferences
As Director of Conferences, Tina oversees all aspects of conference planning and management. She serves as a liaison between the OrthoForum and hotel contacts to organize and implement successful programs. This includes contract negotiation, conference logistics, and onsite conference management.
Stacey Bodkins, Project Manager
As Project Manager, Stacey focuses primarily on initiatives directed by the Board of Directors and Executive team. She works with members, planning committees and the OrthoForum team to manage and implement special projects, including membership surveys, recruitment, and process improvement. In addition, Stacey is the Operations Manager at the OrthoForum Purchasing Alliance, where she oversees daily operations, member enrollment, price parity and contract connections.
Rachel Riley, Conference and Communications Manager
As Conference and Communications Manager, Rachel focuses primarily on conference planning and sponsor acquisition/management. She works with members and sponsors to ensure a seamless conference program from start to finish, which includes oversight of conference communications, handling of conference materials, and onsite conference management. In addition, Rachel manages OrthoForum’s social media accounts and works with our lobbying and design partners on the OrthoForum’s advocacy newsletter, Advocacy Insights.
Vanessa Helgerson, Member Success Manager
As Member Success Manager, Vanessa is responsible for meeting registration and member relations. She works with members to streamline the registration process and provide administrative support, including website access, member group on-boarding and management of continuing education. In addition, Vanessa works in a supporting role with our conference team.
Karen Simonton, Strategic Alliance Director
As the Strategic Alliance Director, Karen works directly with OrthoForum groups to raise their visibility and access to employers and patients who are accessing care in self-insured plans either through TPAs, Benefit Plan Advisors, Nurse Navigators or C-Suite Executives/Owners. Karen is also engaged in OrthoForum Advocacy work with Advocacy Chair, Rich Bruch, MD; Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Shreck, LLP; and all the members of the Advocacy Committee.
Tom Flood, Consultant
As a part-time consultant for The OrthoForum, Tom provides support services where needed within the operations of the organization. Tom’s current primary assignment is the management of Recruiting Solutions, the physician recruitment program of The OrthoForum. He also assists in the development of the Employer Direct Contracting program, where he has provided analytics services.
