Empowering the Next Generation of Orthopedic Surgeons: Shriners Children’s Northern California Inspires Young Women

It was a fun-filled day focused on girl power, thanks to orthopedic surgeons at Shriners Children's Northern California, in partnership with The Perry Initiative, empowering young women to explore careers in orthopedic surgery and engineering through hands-on workshops and experiences. The Perry Initiative, a national nonprofit organization established in 2009, works to inspire high school and medical students to pursue these male-dominated fields by partnering with institutions across the United States.

This workshop welcomed over 40 high school students from the Northern California region. Participants engaged in an intensive program that exposed them to real-world medical scenarios, encouraging them to build confidence in technical skills and explore the rewarding aspects of a career in healthcare. Students experienced a blend of lectures, demonstrations and interactive surgical exercises, practicing techniques like fracture repair, suturing and knee ligament reconstruction, tasks that orthopedic surgeons perform regularly. Each station offered students a glimpse into surgical practices and helped them build hands-on skills while gaining insight into the rigorous and fulfilling work of an orthopedic surgeon.

Tackling Gender Disparities

The Perry Initiative’s workshops are designed to tackle gender disparities in orthopedics and engineering, fields where women are significantly underrepresented. Studies show that women make up only about 6% of practicing orthopedic surgeons and just 13% of engineers in the United States. By introducing young women to these fields early and connecting them with role models, The Perry Initiative aims to change these statistics. For participants, the experience is both eye-opening and affirming, as it provides them with a supportive environment to envision a future in surgery or engineering.

Amanda Whitaker, M.D., a leading orthopedic surgeon specializing in cerebral palsy and pediatric orthopedics at, is passionate about changing these dynamics.

“Having a specialty that’s so underrepresented, it’s hard for young people to see others doing it and say ‘Hey, I want to do that too,’” Dr. Whitaker explained. “It’s helping fuel the next generation.”

By offering opportunities to learn, grow and engage with accomplished female role models in the field, Shriners Children’s is leading the way in nurturing future medical professionals.