While women remain underrepresented in the field of orthopedic surgery as a whole, many are leading advances in clinical care, research and academic leadership
Editor’s note: This is not a list of top surgeons but a list highlighting professional accomplishments. Becker’s does not endorse surgeons featured on this list. To nominate a surgeon for future lists, please contact Sophie Eydis at seydis@beckershealthcare.com.
Here are five female orthopedic surgeons to know:
- Jo Hannafin, MD, PhD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. A sports medicine specialist, she has served as a physician for both the Olympic Games and Pan American Games, and has worked with the U.S. Rowing Team and the New York Mets. Dr. Hannafin also served as the first female president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers.
- Leesa Galatz, MD, is chair of the Leni and Peter May Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. As a shoulder and elbow specialist, she focuses on sports and reconstructive procedures, including rotator cuff disorders and joint replacement. Dr. Galatz is also a leading researcher in rotator cuff disease and tendon healing and serves as co-principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded studies.
- Antonia Chen, MD, is professor and chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at Dallas-based UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she specializes in primary and revision hip and knee replacements and joint replacement infection management. Previously an associate professor at Boston-based Harvard Medical School and chief of arthroplasty and joint reconstruction at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, she is a prolific researcher and editor with more than 400 peer-reviewed publications. She was also recently elected the youngest president of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
- Rachel Frank, MD, is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and professor of orthopedic surgery at the Aurora-based University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she also directs the Joint Preservation Program. She specializes in advanced knee and shoulder arthroscopy, cartilage and meniscus restoration and injuries affecting athletes. Dr. Frank has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and serves as a team physician for athletic programs at Boulder-based University of Colorado and University of Denver.
5. Elizabeth Matzkin, MD, is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and chief of women’s sports medicine at Boston-based Brigham and Women’s. She specializes in minimally invasive knee and shoulder procedures, including ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair and rotator cuff surgery. Dr. Matzkin also serves as a team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, U.S. Paralympics Soccer Team and U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team. As a researcher, her focus is on injuries and musculoskeletal health in female athletes.
