News — LOS ANGELES (Dec. 20, 2024) -- With drills buzzing, saws slicing, and hammers pounding, once again hosted —an annual program designed to inspire young women to pursue careers in orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering.
Fewer than 10% of practicing orthopedic surgeons are women, according to the . The Perry Initiative, a nonprofit organization that partners with medical institutions nationwide, aims to narrow the gender gap in orthopedics and engineering.
“Traditionally, the representation of women in science, engineering and math lags behind,” said , an orthopedic trauma surgeon and one of the program’s organizers at Cedars-Sinai. “This program is a way to show young women that they can have a family, a career, and be an orthopedic surgeon or engineer.”
More than 50 high school and medical students from across Los Angeles participated in this year’s two-day event. Students engaged in a mix of lectures and hands-on workshops.
Medical students connected with orthopedic mentors and practiced advanced techniques like external fixation and intramedullary nailing. High school students were introduced to the basics of orthopedic surgery through interactive stations where they used power drills and saws on synthetic bones to learn how physicians repair fractures and reconstruct torn ligaments.
“What I love about these workshops is seeing students start off intimidated by the power tools because they've never used them before,” Lin said. “By the end of the day, they're confidently saying, ‘I think this fracture needs a few more screws.’”
, an orthopedic biomedical engineer and co-organizer of the program at Cedars-Sinai, emphasized the importance of early exposure for these students.
“Orthopedics is a field where problem-solving and innovation intersect,” Metzger said. “Programs like The Perry Initiative allow young women to see how their passion for science and engineering can translate into impactful careers. It’s about showing them that they have a place here.”
Young women interested in applying for an upcoming The Perry Initiative event can click .
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