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NMRTC San Diego hosts STEM Event

29 March 2023

From Petty Officer 3rd Class Raphael McCorey

(Mar. 17, 2023) The Perry Initiative, a non-profit organization that holds outreach programs nationwide, hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event with University of California San Diego Medical Center and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego’s orthopaedic department February 25, 2023.The event, which
(Mar. 17, 2023) The Perry Initiative, a non-profit organization that holds outreach programs nationwide, hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event with University of California San Diego Medical Center and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego’s orthopaedic department February 25, 2023.

The event, which was sponsored by the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, brought 40 high-school young women from 19 local schools and consisted of exposure in orthopaedic surgery and engineering as well as surgical simulations including knee ligament repair, fixing a broken femur, and suturing.

“STEM events benefit the hospital by enhancing medical force generation and war fighter readiness,” said Lt. Amanda Peeler, STEM Officer for NMRTC San Diego. “Bringing STEM opportunities to our community allows teens to experience the passion and drive that Navy medical and STEM careers can offer.”

The event was aimed specifically for young women who had an interest in pursuing careers in orthopaedic surgery and engineering due to the lack of female presence within the field.

“Currently, women make up approximately 7% of all orthopaedic surgeons in the country,” said Cmdr. Jennifer Smith, NMRTC San Diego Orthopedic Surgery, Residency Program director. “It is imperative that we encourage all bright young women to consider careers in orthopaedics and engineering as this will improve patient care and technology innovation.”



Peeler views the potential growth in female orthopaedic surgeons and engineers as an opportunity for different perspectives that will benefit patient care and provide solutions to unresolved issues.

“It is so important that we empower future females in orthopaedics in order to expand diversity, new ideas, and talent to the profession so it can evolve," said Peeler.

NMRTC San Diego, in collaboration with UCSD’s Orthopaedic department, plans to make the STEM Program a yearly event in the San Diego region in order to host these important events for local female high school students.

NMRTC San Diego's mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC San Diego employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Raphael McCorey)

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