Podcast Summary: Meet the 2025 Pillars of the AOFAS - Dr. Kenneth A. Johnson & Dr. Pierce E. Scranton
Podcast: The AOFAS Orthopod-Cast
Host: AOFAS Podcast Committee (Joe Park, Ben Jackson, et al.)
Date: October 15, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode honors the 2025 AOFAS Pillars, Dr. Kenneth A. Johnson and Dr. Pierce E. Scranton, celebrating their enduring influence and major contributions to foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery. Through interviews with family, colleagues, and the honorees, the podcast explores their legacies, personal motivations, leadership styles, and the ongoing impact of their work on the society and the profession.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dr. Kenneth A. Johnson: Legacy and Family Reflections
Family Perspectives on Dr. Johnson’s Life and Career
- Early Days and Influences
- Grew up in a family immersed in orthopaedics in Rochester, MN, and spent time in Newfoundland and at Fort Lewis, Washington, during the Vietnam War.
- His hands-on approach and devotion to medicine were reflected at home, with his kids witnessing him late at night working on academic projects (01:04–02:22).
- Culture of Service and Care
- Recounted a memorable story: After a plane crash in northern Minnesota, Dr. Johnson connected with a local suffering from heart failure, got him medical care at Mayo Clinic, and hosted him at their home—demonstrating personal commitment and compassion (02:22–04:35).
- Driven by the desire to help and train others, notably impacting those he mentored, like Dr. Todd Kyle.
- Enduring Legacy
- Family expresses pride and gratitude for AOFAS’s recognition, noting:
“I don’t think that 30 years after I die, people will be remembering the accomplishments that I’ve made. And so it means a lot to have 30 years after my dad passed away to be remembering the work and the accomplishments that he brought.” – Gunner Johnson (04:13)
- Laura emphasizes Dr. Johnson’s emphasis on hard work, risk-taking, and doing things well (04:36–05:38):
“He really gave me a respect for doing something that you feel passionate about and doing it well. … He only wanted people who did things well.”
- Family expresses pride and gratitude for AOFAS’s recognition, noting:
- Community and Professional Impact
- Dr. Todd Kyle highlights Dr. Johnson’s inclusive spirit, both in family and professional circles:
“He grew our society by being inclusive and he grew the journal and he made the journal international…” – Dr. Todd Kyle (06:04)
- Dr. Todd Kyle highlights Dr. Johnson’s inclusive spirit, both in family and professional circles:
2. Dr. Pierce E. Scranton: Professional Contributions and Vision
Insights from Dr. Scranton
- Meaning of the Society
- Finds the greatest reward in advancing scientific understanding and enjoying a sense of family and inclusion within AOFAS, beyond medical practice alone:
“There was no comparison to the sense of family and inclusion that the society offered. … it made me want to live up to how I perceived other people that I thought were there selflessly serving.” – Dr. Pierce Scranton (07:44)
- Finds the greatest reward in advancing scientific understanding and enjoying a sense of family and inclusion within AOFAS, beyond medical practice alone:
- Fundraising Legacy and Impact
- Recognized for helping to establish the fundraising arm that sustains resident scholarships and the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Foundation—funds pivotal to the society’s resilience during economic downturns. Initiatives have inspired many to pursue foot and ankle specialties because of the welcoming community (08:47–11:50).
“I’ve had many people go into foot and ankle because of what you said, the sense of community and family. ... It’s all because of the fundraising arm that you helped start.” – Interviewer (08:47)
- Notable contributions include the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Foundation and the personal philanthropy demonstrated by Scranton and his wife Elaine—donating $100,000 to start the OEF (09:48–11:50).
- Recognized for helping to establish the fundraising arm that sustains resident scholarships and the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Foundation—funds pivotal to the society’s resilience during economic downturns. Initiatives have inspired many to pursue foot and ankle specialties because of the welcoming community (08:47–11:50).
- Service Work in Vietnam
- Led medical missions in Vietnam focused on both landmine-related injuries and the long-term effects of Agent Orange. Scranton’s motivation partially stemmed from a desire to “give back” due to his not being drafted during Vietnam but having friends who served or died there (12:21–14:11).
“Part of me wanted to do something to give back... You open one door and three more doors open.” – Dr. Pierce Scranton (13:18)
- Led medical missions in Vietnam focused on both landmine-related injuries and the long-term effects of Agent Orange. Scranton’s motivation partially stemmed from a desire to “give back” due to his not being drafted during Vietnam but having friends who served or died there (12:21–14:11).
- Sports Medicine Career
- Team physician for the Seattle Seahawks for 18 years and consultant for various other sports professionals, highlighting the breadth and versatility of his career (14:11–14:59).
- Humorous humility:
“Watching football now is like watching paint dry, so there’s gotta be more than this.” – Dr. Pierce Scranton (14:49)
- Core Values
- Driven by a sense of service, especially to those less fortunate, which defined the purpose behind his medical and philanthropic endeavors.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Gunner Johnson on Enduring Legacy (04:13):
“I don’t think that 30 years after I die, people will be remembering the accomplishments that I’ve made. And so it means a lot to have 30 years after my dad passed away to be remembering the work and the accomplishments that he brought.”
- Laura Johnson on Professionalism (05:15):
“He really gave me a respect for doing something that you feel passionate about and doing it well. …He wasn’t afraid to take risks.”
- Dr. Todd Kyle on Dr. Johnson’s Leadership (06:04):
“He grew our society by being inclusive and he grew the journal and he made the journal international journal and that’s just, that’s who he was as a person.”
- Dr. Pierce Scranton on AOFAS as Professional Family (07:44):
“There was no comparison to the sense of family and inclusion that the society offered. … it made me want to live up to how I perceived other people that I thought were there selflessly serving.”
- Brian Den Hartog on Philanthropy (09:48):
“They went to their pocketbook and they shelled out a large sum of money and then encouraged a number of industry partners to join them. … Pierce started that initiative. He had that vision.”
- Dr. Pierce Scranton on Service in Vietnam (12:21):
“Part of me wanted to do something to give back. … You open one door and three more doors open.”
- Dr. Scranton on Perspective (14:49):
“Watching football now is like watching paint dry, so there’s gotta be more than this.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Dr. Kenneth A. Johnson’s Family Remembrances: 01:04–06:33
- Societal Acknowledgement of Legacy: 06:33
- Dr. Pierce E. Scranton on AOFAS and Philanthropy: 07:44–11:50
- Vietnam Initiatives and Personal Motivation: 12:21–14:11
- Sports Medicine & Broader Service Philosophy: 14:11–15:17
Conclusion
This episode functions as a moving tribute to the “pillars” of AOFAS, Drs. Johnson and Scranton. It details not only their professional achievements but also their deep, enduring commitment to service, mentorship, family, and the greater good—values that continue to inspire and shape the foot and ankle community. The reflections from family, colleagues, and the honorees themselves reinforce the central message of lasting legacy through service and compassion.