Dr. Ashley Rogerson has shattered the glass ceiling of orthopedic surgery—and she’s just getting started
Obviously, men aren’t the only people who sustain orthopedic injuries. In fact, studies show that, due to anatomical differences, women are actually more susceptible to sports injuries, like ankle sprains and stress fractures, than males. Females are also eight times more likely than men to experience tears and other problems with their ACL. Changes in estrogen levels during menopause also put women over 65 at an increased risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures.
But even though more than half of the patients who come to the doctor for help with orthopedic injuries are female, women comprise less than 7% of orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. The disparity is not just an issue of diversity and inclusion among orthopedic doctors and surgeons — it might also be adversely impacting the quality of orthopedic care that women receive.
Fortunately, the trend is starting to change, with more and more women joining their male counterparts in orthopedic departments across the country.
DECEMBER 2021
TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
To that end, Dr. Rogerson works to make herself available for career fairs, medical school networking functions, and even luncheons for organizations that promote women in surgery. And once these aspiring young physicians make it to residency, Dr. Rogerson feels her job as mentor is only beginning. That’s why she has helped set up a mentorship program in the Tufts orthopedic department. That way, these future orthopedists and surgeons can get the support they need to grow while learning the latest in methods, technology, and treatments at a world-class medical center.
“What I like about working at Tufts is that it’s a big hospital but has a small-hospital feel,” says Dr. Rogerson. “I love my colleagues, my partners in the orthopedic department. I love working with the residents. It’s just sort of that family feeling that we have at Tufts.”
That sense of family extends to Tufts orthopedic. If you or someone you know would like to visit with a Tufts orthopedic doctor in your area, you can find one through the Tufts website here.
Dr. Ashley Rogerson, orthopedic spine surgeon at Tufts Medical Center, has witnessed this paradigm shift firsthand. When she first came to Tufts MC as an orthopedic surgery resident in 2010, Dr. Rogerson knew she was entering a male-dominated field. In fact, that locker-room atmosphere is partially what appealed to Dr. Rogerson, who was herself a former athlete. And coming out of medical school, she enjoyed the hands-on, team approach to orthopedics. But over the years, Dr. Rogerson has also acknowledged the need for change and increased representation of women and minorities in all facets of health care—orthopedic surgery, in particular.
“The field of orthopedics is only going to be enriched with practitioners from more and more backgrounds,” she says. “That trickles all the way down to the patients. Certain patients gravitate more towards me, as a woman.”
A diverse staff brings a host of skill sets, experiences, and perspectives that can benefit the entire team, and, by extension, the patients being treated. Dr. Rogerson emphasizes that this is especially true when dealing with the spine because surgeons often need to tailor the procedures to what they feel the patient can physically and psychologically tolerate. Having surgeons with different points of view can help the staff get a more precise read on what each individual patient might be going through.
“It’s as much an art as it is a science,” says Dr. Rogerson. “You have to really listen to the patient and read between the lines. Are they in financial stress? Are they taking care of a loved one? Do we need to take a step back and consider our options?”
Dr. Rogerson’s observation is backed up a study that showed that, in general, female doctors have a tendency to spend more time listening to patients that male doctors do. Other studies have also shown that patients treated by women doctors are slightly less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital than those who saw male doctors.
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At Tufts MC, there are now seven women in the orthopedic surgery program, and 35% of the residents are female—the highest share in the country.
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I think having representation in any field, particularly in a male-dominated field such as orthopedics, is really important because if you see someone who looks like you, doing what you want to do, you’ll be more likely to be able to pursue that as a career.
— Dr. Rogerson
This is thanks in large part to Dr. Rogerson’s efforts to diversify that talent pool, both at Tufts MC and across the industry. It’s Dr. Rogerson’s way of giving back.
“I’m very grateful to the women who have come before me in orthopedics, specifically in spine surgery, to sort of lay that path out for us,” says Dr. Rogerson.
This is thanks in large part to Dr. Rogerson’s efforts to diversify that talent pool, both at Tufts MC and across the industry. It’s Dr. Rogerson’s way of giving back.
“I’m very grateful to the women who have come before me in orthopedics, specifically in spine surgery, to sort of lay that path out for us,” says Dr. Rogerson.