Breaking Barriers, Building Excellence: Global Women in ISAKOS Sports Medicine

Francesca de Caro, MD, PhD, ITALY Elizaveta Kon, Prof., MD, ITALY Sharon L. Hame, MD, UNITED STATES

ISAKOS eNewsletters   Current Perspective 2026   rating

Introduction

Orthopaedic surgery has historically been a male-dominated specialty, with women remaining underrepresented despite comprising nearly half of medical school graduates¹. This disparity reflects broader trends seen across STEM fields, but orthopaedics continues to be perceived as one of the least-attractive surgical specialties for female medical students². Contributing factors include limited access to female role models, concerns about acceptance by senior faculty, and persistent unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion processes. The lack of female representation perpetuates a cycle of underrepresentation, as aspiring women surgeons may struggle to envision successful careers in the field. This, in turn, negatively affects recruitment and retention, reinforcing perceptions of orthopaedic surgery as an unwelcoming or hostile environment. Thus, mentorship programs and participation in inclusive professional communities are of paramount importance for young surgeons³. But change is underway. This article shares the stories of three exceptional ISAKOS sports medicine surgeons who have turned their aspirations into reality and now serve as inspiring mentors for the next generation: Prof. Elizaveta Kon, Prof. Tania Alvarado, and Dr. Sharon Hame.

Personal Loss as a Driving Force

For many women in orthopaedic sports medicine, the decision to pursue this demanding specialty is shaped by deeply personal experiences that have transformed vulnerability into purpose. Dr. Hame describes how a severe knee injury during adolescence became a defining turning point: “After multiple knee surgeries, I discovered a love for knee anatomy and an interest in sports medicine.” What began as a personal struggle ultimately evolved into a professional mission grounded in empathy and technical excellence. Her academic preparation in kinesiology and early exposure to team coverage during residency reinforced this trajectory, confirming her commitment to restoring athletic function.

Similarly, Prof. Alvarado’s path was profoundly influenced by personal loss. Reflecting on the death of her father, she recalls: “I realized that being a surgeon wasn’t just a career choice—it was the only thing I was meant to be.” Her return to medicine was marked by a renewed sense of vocation and a philosophy centered on restoration—not only of movement, but of human potential. As a former competitive athlete herself, she emphasizes the emotional dimension of recovery: “In sports medicine, we don’t just heal; we restore the precision of movement, the quality of life, and the ability for every individual to chase their dreams again.”

Prof. Kon highlights the equally powerful influence of mentorship in shaping early inspiration: “We are always inspired by the examples of those who come before us. I was fortunate to have extraordinary mentors, and this helped me immensely.”

Across diverse cultural contexts, these narratives reveal a shared emotional foundation: sports medicine is not merely a technical discipline, but a field deeply connected to personal experience and human resilience.

Breaking Traditional Barriers

Despite increasing representation of women in medicine, orthopaedic surgery continues to present significant challenges. These barriers are shaped by regional cultural dynamics, institutional structures, and societal expectations.

Prof. Alvarado describes the experience of entering a specialty in which gender bias remains deeply rooted: “I had to be not just good, but exceptional.” As the first woman in her region to specialize in sports medicine, she confronted both invisibility and active resistance. Yet she emphasizes that clinical excellence ultimately became her strongest advocate: “Successful surgical results are the most powerful arguments against bias.” Dr. Hame identifies leadership access as a persistent challenge even in more established healthcare systems: “The lack of opportunity for leadership roles such as head team physician has been an ongoing issue.” However, she also expresses optimism that increasing representation will gradually transform institutional cultures. Prof. Kon offers a complementary perspective, noting that in her experience the primary challenges have been logistical rather than systemic: “The difficulties are often linked to managing professional and private life, rather than political barriers.” Her reflections highlight the importance of understanding gender equity within specific sociocultural contexts. Across these narratives, a consistent theme emerges: resilience is not only an individual trait but a collective force reshaping the profession.

Mentorship: A Crucial Component Driving the Career Forward

Mentorship plays a defining role in shaping careers in sports medicine, providing not only technical guidance but also confidence and professional opportunity. Dr. Hame notes that during her training there were very few female orthopaedic sports medicine physicians, making mentorship from senior colleagues particularly important. She credits Dr. Jeffrey Minkoff and Dr. Orrin Sherman during residency, and later Dr. Gerald Finerman and Dr. Mathew Shapiro during her fellowship, with helping to shape her career and supporting her appointment as UCLA’s first female orthopaedic sports medicine specialist. Prof. Kon highlights the influence of her mentor, Prof. Marcacci, whom she describes as “an example of great professional and human integrity who treated men and women exactly the same.” Similarly, Prof. Alvarado acknowledges the formative guidance of Dr. Carlos Cruz Hallon and Dr. Galo Gómez, who helped to develop both her diagnostic approach and surgical skills, ultimately encouraging her to pursue leadership in a field into which few women had previously entered. Together, these experiences demonstrate how mentorship not only transmits surgical knowledge but also empowers the next generation of leaders in sports medicine.

Managing Through the Inequity of Resources in Different Regions

While the core mission of sports medicine remains consistent worldwide, clinical realities differ significantly across regions. Dr. Hame observes that although training standards and athlete care objectives are broadly similar internationally, disparities exist in access to emerging technologies: “Other countries may be able to use certain biologic treatments before they are approved in the United States.” Prof. Kon reflects on differences in training structures, noting that orthopaedic education in Italy often involves a longer pathway to independence compared with other European systems. She emphasizes the importance of balancing efficiency with depth of experience to ensure well-rounded professional development. In Ecuador, Prof. Alvarado highlights the necessity of adapting global standards to local constraints: “We often see patients years after their initial injury, which requires creativity and resilience in treatment.” Her experience underscores how resource limitations can foster innovative surgical approaches and refined diagnostic skills.

Global Collaboration as a Mean to Close the Gaps

Despite these differences, the shared commitment to restoring function and protecting athlete well-being unites sports medicine professionals across continents. Participation in international organizations such as ISAKOS plays a crucial role in professional development and global collaboration. Dr. Hame describes how engagement with international peers has enhanced both clinical practice and academic advancement: “The opportunity to collaborate with experts from around the world provides unparalleled access to new techniques and educational opportunities.”

For Prof. Kon, scientific societies represent not only platforms for learning but also spaces for building meaningful professional relationships: “They allow you to update your knowledge, find mentors, and create new friendships.” Prof. Alvarado views ISAKOS as a vital source of professional validation beyond local constraints: “ISAKOS has been a bridge to the world and a sanctuary for professional merit.” Her experience highlights the importance of inclusive global networks in supporting surgeons from emerging regions.

Advice and Future Perspectives

All three surgeons emphasize the importance of encouraging young women to pursue careers in orthopaedic sports medicine. Their advice reflects both practical guidance and deep personal conviction. Dr. Hame underscores the value of mentorship and early exposure: “Make every effort to find a mentor and seek opportunities for involvement in research and clinical observation.” Prof. Kon offers a message of empowerment grounded in self-belief: “Do not be afraid. You can achieve anything if you are determined, aware, and proactive.” Prof. Alvarado frames mentorship as a responsibility to future generations: “When you walk through a door that was previously closed to women, leave it open behind you.” Together, these perspectives illustrate how individual success can catalyze broader cultural transformation within the specialty.

The experiences of women in sports medicine reflect both the progress achieved and the work that remains. Through resilience, mentorship, and global collaboration, these leaders continue to redefine professional norms.

Their collective message is clear: excellence in orthopaedics must be accompanied by inclusivity. By fostering equitable opportunities and supporting diverse voices, the field can continue to evolve in ways that benefit both surgeons and the athletes they serve.

Ultimately, as these narratives demonstrate, the future of sports medicine lies not only in technical innovation but in the strength of its global community.

References

1. Vikas Khanduja. Gender diversity in orthopaedic sports medicine. J ISAKOS 2024 Jun;9(3):251-252 doi: 10.1016/j.jisako.2024.06.003.
2. Adina D Sterling, Marissa E Thompson, Shiya Wang, Abisola Kusimo, Shannon Gilmartin, Sheri Sheppard. The confidence gap predicts the gender pay gap among STEM graduates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Dec 1;117(48):30303-30308. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2010269117. Epub 2020 Nov 16.
3. Sanjeevi Bharadwaj, Naveen Jeyaraman, Madhan Jeyaraman, Ashok Shyam. Networking in Orthopedics: Collaboration, Opportunities, Education, and Research in Orthopedics. J Orthop Case Rep 2026 Mar;16(3):3-9. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i03.6868.

Please note: ISAKOS Newsletter Current Perspectives are not peer-reviewed articles. For peer-reviewed articles, please visit the Journal of ISAKOS at jisakos.com.