SCHAUMBURG, Ill., March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Women's Leadership Awards: Rebecca A. Cerrato, MD, and Pamela C. Luk, MD. These distinguished awards, presented as part of the AOFAS Women's Leadership Initiative, recognize the achievements of female orthopaedic surgeons and their contributions to the field of foot and ankle surgery.
AOFAS member Rebecca A. Cerrato, MD, is the recipient of the Career Impact Award, which recognizes women who have made exceptional contributions to the field of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery.
"I am honored to be recognized by the AOFAS for this award," Dr. Cerrato said. "I hope my contributions over these years have inspired other female orthopaedic surgeons to pursue their own career goals."
Currently, Dr. Cerrato is the fellowship director and attending orthopaedic surgeon at the Institute for Foot & Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned her medical degree at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and completed her orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of Chicago and Georgetown University in Washington, DC. After residency, she completed a fellowship in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery at Mercy Medical Center.
"Dr. Cerrato is a role model, not only for females, but for anyone aspiring to achieve a career in academic medicine," said A. Holly Johnson, MD, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, in a nomination letter.
Dr. Cerrato is also a leader in the AOFAS, having served as a member-at-large of the AOFAS Board of Directors, the Pre-Meeting chair of AOFAS Annual Meeting 2023, chair of the Membership Committee, and member of the Young Physicians Committee. Currently, she is the vice chair of the Fellowship Match & Accreditation Committee.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cerrato has been dedicated to supporting women in foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery. In 2018, she co-founded the AOFAS Women's Leadership Initiative.
"Recognizing women leaders provides much-needed role models for the next generation of female surgeons," Dr. Cerrato said. "Visibility of women leaders in orthopaedic surgery can inspire more women to consider a career in the field. Recognition of women leaders challenges stereotypes and breaks outdated gender norms, creating a more inclusive environment."
AOFAS member Pamela C. Luk, MD, is the recipient of the Career Development Award, which recognizes the professional aspirations and commitment of early- and mid-career female foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons.
Dr. Luk is a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon at Select Orthopedic Specialists in Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and she completed her residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Hospital. Following her residency, she completed a fellowship in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
"Although only practicing for ten years, Dr. Luk has already left an indelible imprint in our professional specialty," said Geoffrey I. Phillips, MD, of Northwell Health in Great Neck, New York, in a nomination letter.
In the AOFAS, Dr. Luk has served as member-at-large of the AOFAS Board of Directors, chair of the Young Physicians Committee, chair of the Women's Leadership Task Force, and member of the Program Committee. Currently, she is a member of the AOFAS Orthopod-cast Committee.
"I am extremely grateful to all those who have given me an opportunity to lead as well as all those who believed in me enough to follow," Dr. Luk said.
Drs. Cerrato and Luk will accept their awards in September at AOFAS Annual Meeting 2025, where they will also speak at the annual Women's Leadership Reception.
Both surgeons describe foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery as an exciting field for women, and they hope to continue to inspire other women in the profession by recognizing women leaders.
"By highlighting women in leadership, we are demonstrating to all women that they too can be leaders, whether in small or large capacities, so that the burden of overcoming gender inequity does not rest on just a few," Dr. Luk said.
The AOFAS Women's Leadership Initiative was established in 2018 with a generous donation from Thomas H. Lee, MD. Funding for the 2025 Women's Leadership Initiative is provided by the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, supported by a grant from Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consist of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma.
About the AOFAS
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information, visit the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at aofas.org.
About the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation
The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), is a 501(c)(3) organization that advances the AOFAS mission to improve lives through exceptional orthopaedic foot and ankle care. Through its funding of humanitarian endeavors, educational outreach programs, and innovative research, the Foundation enhances foot and ankle care for patients around the world. For more information, visit the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation online at aofas.org/foundation.
SOURCE AOFAS
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