University of Connecticut’s Lauren E. Geaney, M.D. has received the 2002 Career Development Award from the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS).
She is being recognized for her commitment to breaking down gender barriers in orthopedics. The award is one of two Women’s Leadership Awards presented by the foundation. It supports the professional development of early-and mid-career female orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and is part of the AOFAS Women’s Leadership Initiative.
Geaney directs the University of Connecticut’s Orthopaedic Residency Program.
“One of the biggest barriers to the lack of women in orthopedics is the lack of female mentorship,” she said in an interview.
“By encouraging women and recognizing women for their work, I think it places a spotlight on how successful women can be in the field. I’m hopeful that young women can see that I have been able to be a surgeon, a leader, an educator and at the same time a mom and a wife. If you see it, you can be it!”
Dr. Holly Johnson, foot and ankle surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, who nominated Geaney, added, “I continue to be impressed when Lauren takes the stage. She has a commanding yet approachable presence at the podium, capturing the audience’s attention while making a strong point clearly.”
Geaney currently serves as vice chair of the AOFAS’ education committee and will become committee chair later this year. She is also a member of the Young Physicians Committee, co-chair and presenter for AOFAS educational programs and a reviewer for Foot & Ankle International, the official journal of AOFAS. She has been involved with the society for more than a decade.
She completed her medical degree and orthopedic residency at the University of Connecticut and then a foot and ankle fellowship at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
Geaney will accept the award at the AOFAS 2022 annual meeting in September.
