86. Having Representation and Paying it Forward with Orthopaedic Surgeon Jothi Murali-Larson

 

 

Introducing Jothi Murali-Larson

Today I’m talking to Dr. Jothi Murali-Larson about having representation and paying it forward. Jothi is an orthopaedic sports medicine and trauma surgeon with her own practice. She is also the Vice Chair for the Department of Orthopaedics at Good Samaritan Hospital and an associate faculty member at UCSF. Additionally, Jothi serves as the professional development committee chair for the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society.

Her Career Jouney

Jothi studied biochemistry at Columbia University and took a year off after college while figuring out what she wanted to do with her career. After the gap year, she went on to complete her MD at Emory University. Jothi benefited from having a women orthopaedic surgeon as a mentor beginning her first year in med school. She completed her residency in orthopaedics at Brown University, which included an additional year of an ortho trauma fellowship. She then moved across the country for her sports medicine fellowship at UC Davis and decided to settle in California.

Having Representation and Paying it Forward

Dr. Murali-Larson is one of the 6% of all orthopaedic surgeons who are women. She benefitted early on in her career by having representation and being mentored by strong women in orthopaedics. Now, after going out on her own and starting her own practice, she pays it forward in her work with the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedics Society.

Inside this episode:

  • Growing up, Jothi was fortunate to see women in medicine and was exposed to orthopaedic surgery by chance through a friend’s dad.
  • While in med school, Jothi had another life-changing exposure to orthopaedics through a woman orthopaedic surgeon who became her mentor. Having representation really helped her see what was possible.
  • Jothi started residency with sports medicine in mind and chose a fellowship that took her to the West Coast.
  • California became the place Jothi decided to settle, highlighting the importance of choosing a fellowship that can set you up for later career success. 
  • Learning to run your own practice isn’t taught in medical school. Jothi needed to learn the best way to set up her own practice and stay connected to the local medical community. 
  • While private practice gave Jothi the autonomy she wanted, she found it also meant she needed to take on all of the other aspects of running a business as well.
  • Jothi enjoys the time she spends working with the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (with another Madam Athlete guest, Mary Mulcahey) and is grateful for the chance to pay it forward by helping to shape the next generation of women orthopaedic surgeons.
  • Jothi advises young women in medicine to find a mentor and then follow through on their commitments to any projects they take on

Resources

 

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