The Perry Initiative is a national outreach program to inspire young women to be leaders in the fields of orthopaedic surgery and engineering. One-day workshops are offered to high school (Perry Outreach Program) or medical school (Medical School Outreach Program) students, providing hands-on applications in orthopaedic surgical techniques and keynote talks on engineering and orthopaedic surgery.
On April 1, 2023, the University of Pittsburgh Department of Orthopaedic Surgery teamed with Allegheny Health Network Orthopaedic Surgery to host the Perry Outreach Program for its first local program since the COVID pandemic. Approximately 30 Pittsburgh-area high school students were accepted to attend this program, mentored by keynote speakers Dr. Stella Lee and Mrs. Clarissa Lees, as well as orthopaedic attendings Dr. Z. Denis Olgun, Dr. Gele Moloney, Dr. Amanda McCoy and Dr. Lisa Ercolano. Pitt ortho resident Dr. Maria Munsch organized an enthusiastic and inspiring group of female Pitt and AHN Ortho fellows, residents, and physician’s assistants, who volunteered their day to make this great program a success.
By providing young women with access to females who actively participate and excel in orthopaedics and engineering, The Perry Initiative aims to increase representation and, as a result, ensure that these fields continue to develop groundbreaking techniques in medicine and science. The Perry Initiative regularly holds programs throughout the United States and hopes to continue their involvement in Pittsburgh on an annual basis.
