Newswise — MAYWOOD, Il. – To help attract more women to orthopedics and engineering, Loyola University Medical Center hosted a day-long program Feb. 22 for female high school students that included mock surgeries for conditions such as scoliosis of the spine and ACL knee injuries.

Orthopedic surgeons work hand-in-hand with engineers to develop safe and effective implants for repairing broken bones, torn ligaments and worn-out joints. Speakers at the Perry Outreach Program at Loyola included Loyola orthopedic surgeons Karen Wu, MD and Terri Cappello, MD and engineer Nancy Hamilton, senior vice president of HOK Architects in Chicago.

Forty juniors and seniors from Chicago and suburban high schools attended the program. In addition to mock surgeries on anatomical models, the program included lectures and panel discussions. The program was sponsored by the Perry Initiative, a non-profit organization that inspires young women to pursue careers in orthopedics and engineering.

The unique Perry Outreach Program curriculum has received national attention for its innovative, career-oriented approach to science and technology education. Loyola is bringing the program to Chicago for the first time. It was held at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. The Perry Initiative is named in honor of Dr. Jacquelin Perry, who was among the first ten women orthopaedic surgeons in the country. She mentored many women and men in the field during a career that lasted from 1952 to 2013.

For more information, visit http://www.perryinitiative.org.

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