UConn Health’s Dr. Lauren Geaney ’08 MD is now part of the leadership group of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.

Geaney, a foot and ankle surgeon who joined UConn Health in 2013, is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery and associate director of the UConn Orthopaedic Residency Program. She is now among the 11 physicians who make up the AOFAS Board of Directors.

Her involvement with the AOFAS, a national organization with a vision of leading the global community in foot and ankle education, research, innovation, and advocacy, goes back to 2010, when she was a trainee in the residency program she now helps lead. She since has served on several AOFAS boards and committees.

“I participated in their inaugural year of Resident Scholars and was given a scholarship to attend their annual meeting,” Geaney says. “That was when I realized how interested I was in the specialty and decided to commit. That’s also part of the reason that I’m so excited to be nominated and selected for this position — a true ‘full circle’ moment!”

Three years ago, the AOFAS presented Geaney with its Women’s Leadership Career Development Award for her work to break down gender barriers in orthopedic surgery, a historically male-dominated field.

“The Society has been an integral part of my development as a surgeon and educator, and I’m honored to be able to give back by serving in this role,” Geaney says. “This opportunity is really humbling considering how impressive the other candidates were. This allows me to participate on the board of directors with the current president, vice president, treasurer and secretary to make meaningful change to our society and most importantly our patients.”

Geaney took office as an at-large member of the AOFAS Board of Directors at the society’s annual meeting last month. Her term runs through September 2027.