Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society

The Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS) supports women in orthopedic surgery through mentorship, education, and advocacy. It offers structured mentorship programs, connecting students with experienced surgeons to guide their careers and foster a sense of community. RJOS provides educational resources, workshops, national and regional conferences, and scholarships, helping students build skills and expand their exposure to the field of orthopedics. By promoting gender diversity, RJOS creates a more inclusive environment, improving student well-being and encouraging conversations that improve the field of orthopedics for all. The society also hosts events for networking and career development, which support professional growth and confidence-building for students of all backgrounds interested in orthopedics. Overall, RJOS contributes to student success by offering both personal support for navigating a field in which woman have historically been largely underrepresented as well as offering professional opportunities for career exploration and resume building. By opening a chapter here at WashU, we can introduce our students interested in orthopedics to opportunities in research, mentorship, and leadership at the regional and national levels.