How One Doctor Navigated Orthopedic Residency While Pregnant

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Cristina DelPrete completed six months of ortho residency while pregnant
• RJOS awarded Dr. Jessi Block Courage Award to recognize her perseverance
• Women represent only 7‑8% of U.S. orthopaedic surgeons, the least diverse specialty
• Residency programs now adjust call schedules for pregnant interns on arthroplasty service
• Story underscores need for systemic reforms to support reproductive rights in surgery

Pulse Analysis

Orthopaedic surgery remains the least gender‑diverse medical specialty, with women accounting for roughly 7‑8% of practicing surgeons despite making up half of medical school classes. The pipeline has inched forward—women now fill about 20‑22% of orthopaedic residency slots—but the attrition at senior levels signals structural barriers. Dr. Cristina DelPrete’s story, highlighted by the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society’s Courage Award, provides a vivid case study of how individual resilience intersects with institutional flexibility to challenge these norms.

Pregnancy during residency traditionally collides with long hours, operative exposure, and on‑call demands that can jeopardize both maternal health and training progression. ACGME regulations permit six weeks of protected leave, yet many programs lack clear protocols for schedule adjustments. In DelPrete’s case, chief residents re‑structured her arthroplasty rotations, illustrating a pragmatic approach that other institutions can emulate. Such accommodations not only safeguard trainee well‑being but also preserve the continuity of clinical education, proving that flexibility need not compromise competency.

The broader implication is a call to embed equitable policies into surgical training curricula. By normalizing transparent maternity planning, mentorship programs, and proactive schedule tailoring, orthopaedic departments can attract and retain more women, enriching the specialty with diverse perspectives. As stories like DelPrete’s gain visibility, they empower future candidates to envision a career that accommodates both professional ambition and family aspirations, accelerating the cultural shift toward true gender parity in orthopaedic surgery.