Old Scholar Orthopaedic Award

Saumya Chanana (Patteson 2015) graduated from Medicine in 2021 before enjoying a career gap year. In 2023, she commenced an internship with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and started her role as a junior doctor.

Throughout her years at university, Saumya developed a passion for orthopaedics and had the opportunity to participate in elective rotations at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital. She saw cases ranging from simple fractures and elective joint replacements to multi-trauma patients, and found it rewarding to observe how surgery can result in tangible and functional outcomes for these patients.

In Australia, whilst approximately 50% of medical school graduates are female, roughly only 4% of orthopaedic surgeons are female. The AOA Orthopaedic Women’s Link aims to promote gender diversity and support women to pursue orthopaedics. Saumya was incredibly honoured to be named the winner in 2022 of the AOA OWL Essay and is looking forward to gaining more exposure in the field as she commences her clinical career this year.