We are proud to congratulate each and every one of the 36 first-ever AO Spine Global Diploma holders for their achievement! In 2020 participants and examiners had to tackle additional challenges and navigate the strict restrictions imposed COVID-19.

“I was inspired by the candidates’ enthusiasm and eagerness, irrespective of which part of the world they were from. The keen participation from surgeons worldwide stood testimony to the global relevance of this initiative,” says AO Spine International Board Chairperson Shanmuganathan Rajasekaran. With this first experience, the first AO Spine Global Diploma Exam has already proved its value and applicability for all AO Spine regions.

From the one hundred applicants, 68 candidates participated in the part 1 exam. Then, 41 passed the multiple-choice exam in February 2020 and were invited to continue to part 2. This was to be a face-to-face discussion with the examiners. Instead, due to the pandemic, it had to be delivered as an online proctored exam.

Visit the AO Spine Global Diploma Exam website for more information here.

AO Spine is talking to some of the successful participants and the examiners about their first impressions and learnings, why they think anyone should take the exam and how they can expect to benefit from it. A feature with their insights will be published in the upcoming AO Spine Newsletter.
Find all AO Spine Newsletters here.