Female Pioneer for Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Education in South Korea

Rosemont, Ill. (July 24, 2018) – Su-Young Bae, MD, PhD, of the Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital in South Korea, earned the inaugural Women’s International Leadership Award from the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society® (AOFAS). The award recognizes Dr. Bae’s work as an orthopaedic educator, clinician, and researcher. As the first female orthopaedic foot and ankle educator in South Korea, she is paving the way for other young females in the specialty.

"Being the very first recipient of this honorable International Women’s Leadership Award is a great encouragement and comfort to me because the path of the pioneer is lonely and difficult," Dr. Bae said. "Besides encouragement for me as an individual, I hope that this award will inspire and encourage women who are still in unfriendly environments where they are not free to make their own decisions."

Dr. Bae completed her orthopaedic training at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, and was a Research Fellow at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. She also participated in the first AOFAS Traveling Fellowship Program that launched in 2005. 

In addition, Dr. Bae has published several scientific articles and serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society. She currently is working as editor-in-chief of the new textbook, Foot & Ankle Textbook Second Edition, planned to release next year.

"Su-Young Bae developed deep friendships during her fellowship at Union Memorial with Lew Schon, MD. It was wonderful to see her carry her warmth and character as she established the only female orthopaedic foot and ankle practice in Korea"” said Thomas H. Lee, MD, 2017-18 president of the AOFAS. "For almost 20 years, she has served as a model of teaching and surgical excellence in a highly competitive, male-dominated field. My hopes are to bring attention to her quiet leadership to encourage more women in Asia to pursue orthopaedics and foot and ankle surgery." 

With support from Dr. Lee, the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation established the International Women’s Leadership Award, along with the Women’s Leadership Award for surgeons within the United States and Canada, to recognize current and future female leaders in the field of Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Lee has challenged all AOFAS stakeholders to contribute $50,000 to the Foundation for women’s leadership programming by December 31, 2018, with the promise of matching an additional, personal gift of $50,000.

About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons 
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consists of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma. 

About the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation 
The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), is a 501(c)(3) organization that advances the AOFAS mission to improve lives through exceptional orthopaedic foot and ankle care. Through its funding of humanitarian endeavors, educational outreach programs, and innovative research, the Foundation enhances foot and ankle care for patients around the world. For more information visit the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation online at aofas.org/foundation.


Christie Brannon 
Marketing and Communications Specialist 
Office: 847-430-5127 
cbrannon@aofas.org