AOFAS Honors Two Female Orthopedic Leaders

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) have bestowed its 2025 Women’s Leadership Awards upon Rebecca A. Cerrato, M.D., and Pamela C. Luk, M.D. Presented as part of the AOFAS Women’s Leadership Initiative, the awards recognize the achievements of female orthopedic surgeons and their contributions to foot and ankle surgery.

Dr. Cerrato received the Career Impact Award, which recognizes women who have made exceptional contributions to 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.”

Dr. Cerrato currently is fellowship director and attending orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Foot & Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md. She earned her medical degree at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and completed her orthopedic surgery residency training at the University of Chicago and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. After residency, she completed a fellowship in orthopedic 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, A. Holly Johnson, M.D., (New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery) stated in a nomination letter.

Dr. Cerrato is also an AOFAS leader, 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. She currently is vice chair of the Fellowship Match & Accreditation Committee.

Throughout her career, Dr. Cerrato has been dedicated to supporting women in foot and ankle 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 remarked. “Visibility of women leaders in orthopedic 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 Recognition of women leaders challenges stereotypes and breaks outdated gender norms, creating a more inclusive environment.”

Dr. Luk received the Career Development Award, which recognizes the professional aspirations and commitment of early- and mid-career female foot and ankle surgeons.

Dr. Luk is a foot and ankle surgeon at Select Orthopedic Specialists in Los Angeles. She graduated from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Hospital. Following her residency, she completed a fellowship in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

“Although only practicing for 10 years, Dr. Luk has already left an indelible imprint in our professional specialty,” Geoffrey I. Phillips, M.D., of Northwell Health (Great Neck, N.Y.) stated in a nomination letter.

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 orthopedic 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 noted.

The AOFAS Women’s Leadership Initiative was established in 2018 with a donation from Thomas H. Lee, M.D. 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.

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes foot and ankle surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes 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.

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 foot and ankle care. Through its funding of humanitarian endeavors, educational outreach programs, and research, the Foundation enhances foot and ankle care for patients worldwide.