Editor’s Note: The path to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon can be circuitous. This story is similar in many ways to that experienced by Dr. Ruth Jackson, the first Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, who was told “no” at many points during her education and career. Despite being repeatedly messaged that there was no place for them, resilience, faith in oneself and “grit” prevailed in both women.
After attending a prestigious high school, top tier university and graduating from medical school, I didn’t match in Orthopedics…twice. It was a terrible time of life as well as being embarrassing but it did not paralyze me.
I tore my ACL at age 17 and underwent surgery. In college, I was a student athletic trainer working with NCAA Division I teams. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. Interestingly, along the way I encountered no orthopedic mentors. This extended into medical school. Where were they?
Because I am resilient and did not allow this setback to undermine my aspirations, I accepted a general surgery internship outside my native city. There, I was exposed to rotations in plastic, vascular, orthopedic and pediatric surgery. This was an enriching experience and, I believe, made me a better surgeon.
Despite another whole series of seemingly positive residency interviews around the country, I again failed to match in orthopedics. Still not willing to let go of my vision, I accepted a transitional training year in anesthesia. During that timeframe, I was contacted by a colleague who alerted me to an unexpected opening in an orthopedic residency program in my city of choice. It took a lot to humble myself to accept the position, but I did it. Thankfully, I was given credit for my previous training experiences and was started as a second-year orthopedic resident. It proved to be a great decision. The residents were a diverse group who bonded and worked well together. There was even another woman in my class.
Only later when I was interviewing for an orthopedic fellowship, did I realize that the field of orthopedic surgery was not as diverse as my training program led me to believe. It was largely populated by white men. This awakened an awareness in me about the identity of my chosen profession. Now in orthopedic practice, I have attempted to promote experiences & opportunities for those “less typical” members of our profession.
I consider myself fortunate to have been chosen for a fellowship where an investment was made in my professional development. I later returned there to practice & presently have a satisfying career. And, yes, I did find some wonderful mentors.
My experiences taught me that resilience and grit were necessary to achieve my career goal. I’ve been asked whether “grit” can be taught, or it is an innate individual characteristic? Ruth Jackson certainly possessed it. I am trying to demonstrate it to my young children by getting up early every day, by working hard and by being as present as possible when I am home with them. I also take them to make rounds with me so they can see what I do and why I enjoy the work. I trust they will discover their own inherent strengths. I hope one of them is grit.
Would I relive my career the same way? I am so happy where I am now, I would say yes. Had there not been adversity, I would have missed the opportunities which came my way. A seemingly terrible cascade of events got me to where I am now. It is truly a good place.
To pay it forward, I am working to create an awareness of orthopedic surgery as a career choice for regional high school students of all genders and for medical students around the nation. The response has been encouraging and gratifying. I will continue this effort to help create “more than one seat at the orthopedic table” for women and minority physicians.