-- 3 percent of board-certified orthopaedic surgeons
-- less than 10 percent of all orthopaedic residents nationwide
"It is very important to the public at large that more women become
involved in the practice of orthopaedics," said Mary I. O'Connor, MD. Dr.
O'Connor is an associate professor and department chair of orthopaedic
surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.
She noted, "If we work to increase diversity within the orthopaedic
workforce, it stands to reason we will probably have more awareness and
sensitivity to gender and racial difference across the board. I feel it
will also help to decrease health-care disparities and improve overall
health, which translates into better care for all our patients."
Increasing diversity has been an ongoing effort and a principle issue for
the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS). Established in 1983, RJOS
fosters support and serves as a network for women orthopaedic surgeons to
share their common experiences. "Today one of our biggest challenges is
just getting women medical students to understand that they can have a rich
and rewarding career as an orthopaedic surgeon," Dr. O'Connor said. "I feel
on some level young women are still given negative messages on surgical
training, especially orthopaedic training. We are here to tell them that
orthopaedics is a fabulous profession, and as orthopaedic surgeons they can
really help patients improve their quality of life."
"She Can Do It! -- Increasing the Number of Women in Orthopaedic Surgery"
will be presented at a media briefing to be held at the 75th Annual Meeting
of the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS), at the Moscone Convention Center, South Mezzanine, on
Thursday, Mar. 6, 2008, at 10:45 a.m., in Room 224.
Dr. O'Connor moderates a very distinguished panel that includes Lisa
Canada, MD, who will discuss a book she co-wrote with Dr. O'Connor,
entitled "The RJOS Guide for Women in Orthopaedic Surgery." Ann Van Heest,
MD, will present the most up-to-date numbers of women in orthopaedic
residency programs. Sharon Hame, MD, incoming president of the Ruth
Jackson Orthopaedic Society will share the Society's vision for the future.
Claudia Thomas, MD, the recipient of the 2008 AAOS Diversity Award and the
first black female orthopaedic surgeon, along with 2008 Miss Black USA Ms.
Kalilah Allen-Harris, who is also a medical student pursing a career in
orthopaedic surgery, will round out the panel. Both women will discuss
their personal and professional experiences in the field.
"I believe that the future of orthopaedics will directly depend on how we
address the specific issue of women entering the orthopaedic profession,
for us as surgeons and for our patients," Dr. O'Connor said. "We need to
create a culture that welcomes and supports women as equal and valued
partners."
Editor's Note: Full disclosure information for each AAOS media-briefing
participant is available upon request. Please contact Catherine Dolf,
(Cell)
(847) 894-9112 dolf@aaos.org or Lauren Pearson, (Cell) (224) 374-8610
lpearson@aaos.org for more information.
Scientific Exhibit 88
About
AAOS
Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society
To view this release online, go to:
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2008/aaos030608_brief_shecandoit/index.html
Contact Information: For more information, contact: Catherine Dolf C: (847) 894-9112 O: (847) 384-4034 Lauren Pearson C: (224) 374-8610 O: (847) 384-4031