More than 50 high school and college students had the opportunity to learn firsthand from orthopedic professionals at Nicklaus Children's Hospital as part of the Perry Outreach Program, a conference for high school women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering.

Dr. Monica Payares, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, was instrumental in bringing the event to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. “Everyone’s journey is different and the road is rarely a straight one.  In my field with only 6 percent of surgeons being women and 4 percent underrepresented minorities, I feel it is my duty to pay it forward.  It is my duty to show the new generations that doing what you love is going to be hard, and that there will be obstacles, but it is not impossible.  We have to diversify our entire medical workforce.  Patients need to see that their caregivers look like them, understand their culture and speak their language. The Perry Initiative is one way to help us accomplish that goal.  We pay it forward, to inspire.”

The two-day event, held January 24-25, provided students with hands-on experience of orthopedics and orthopedic surgery through mock surgery, casting and suturing. Dr. Payares and Dr. Verena Schreiber, along with other prominent female orthopedic surgeons in South Florida came together for this great cause.