Rebecca A. Cerrato, M.D., FAAOS, board certified orthopedic surgeon at The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, has been honored by The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) with a 2025 Women's Leadership Award.
BALTIMORE, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Rebecca A. Cerrato, M.D., FAAOS, board certified orthopedic surgeon at The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center and Director of The Institute's Fellowship Program, has been honored by The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) with a 2025 Women's Leadership Award.
Dr. Cerrato received the "Career Impact Award", which recognizes women who have made exceptional contributions to the field of orthopedic foot and ankle surgery.
"I am honored to be recognized by the AOFAS for this award," Dr. Cerrato said. "I hope my contributions over these years have inspired other female orthopedic surgeons to pursue their own career goals."
"This is wonderful news—we are extremely proud of Dr. Cerrato and this, her latest achievement, which speaks to her skill, dedication, and commitment to providing quality, compassionate care to her patients. Mercy has received national recognition for providing top orthopedic care, and Dr. Cerrato's award is further proof of that," said Dr. David N. Maine, President and CEO, Mercy Health Services, Mercy Medical Center.
Dr. Cerrato earned her medical degree at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and completed her orthopedic surgery residency training at the University of Chicago and Georgetown University in Washington, DC. After residency, she completed a fellowship in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery at Mercy Medical Center.
"Dr. Cerrato is a role model, not only for females, but for anyone aspiring to achieve a career in academic medicine, said A. Holly Johnson, MD, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, in a nomination letter.
Dr. Cerrato is also a leader in the AOFAS, having served as a member-at-large of the AOFAS Board of Directors, the Pre-Meeting chair of AOFAS Annual Meeting 2023, chair of the Membership Committee, and member of the Young Physicians Committee. Currently, she is the vice chair of the Fellowship Match & Accreditation Committee.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cerrato has been dedicated to supporting women in foot and ankle orthopedic surgery. In 2018, she co-founded the AOFAS Women's Leadership Initiative.
"Recognizing women leaders provides much-needed role models for the next generation of female surgeons," Dr. Cerrato said. "Visibility of women leaders in orthopedic surgery can inspire more women to consider a career in the field. Recognition of women leaders challenges stereotypes and breaks outdated gender norms, creating a more inclusive environment."
Dr. Cerrato will accept her award in September at AOFAS Annual Meeting 2025, where she will also speak at the annual Women's Leadership Reception.
With a reputation among her peers and colleagues as a gifted clinician, Dr. Rebecca Cerrato is a recognized leader in clinical education on a national and international level. She is the only U.S. surgeon to serve as a board member on the Groupe de Recherche et d'Etude en Chirurgie Mini-Invasive du Pied - a prestigious international society dedicated to minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.
Dr. Cerrato is Chairperson, Course Director and host to an annual international arthroscopy course held in downtown Baltimore. The course draws leading experts in the field and international attendance from Australia, Israel, Canada, England and France, among others. Dr. Cerrato provides advanced instruction on arthroscopic techniques and minimally invasive surgery. Surgeons from around the globe meet at the Institute to train and share foot and ankle surgical treatments and research findings.
Dr. Cerrato has dedicated her personal time to participating in events that benefit the Baltimore community. Along with her fellow colleagues she has volunteered foot care services at Baltimore's Helping Up Mission and participated in the 9-11 Run to Remember, sponsored by The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy.
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes the community of foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments.
For more information, visit the Society online at aofas.org.
Founded in 1874 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is located in downtown Baltimore City, about six blocks from Baltimore's famed Inner Harbor. A university-affiliated teaching facility, Mercy is a Catholic hospital with a national reputation for women's health care, orthopedics, and other specialties. Mercy is home to the renowned Weinberg Center for Women's Health & Medicine, and the $400+ million Mary Catherine Bunting Center. For more information, visit http://www.mdmercy.com, MDMercyMedia on Facebook and Twitter(X), http://www.youtube.com/mmcbaltimore, or call 1-800-M.D.-Mercy.
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Media Contact
Daniel Collins, Mercy Health Services, 410-332-9714, [email protected], www.mdmercy.com
SOURCE Mercy Health Services
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