The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is an orthopaedic organization. Founded at Northwestern University in 1933, as of 2015 AAOS had grown to include about 39,000 members. The group provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. The AAOS also lobbies and works on public education. The AAOS describes itself as "the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists."