Orthopaedic surgeon breaks the mould

The training is long, the hours can be demanding but the rewards are worth all the hard work and sacrifice — and one orthopaedic surgeon at The University of Nottingham has become a role model for women across the country. Brigitte Scammell, Head of the Division of Orthopaedic and Accident Surgery in the School of Clinical Sciences, has become the UK's first female Professor of Orthopaedics. Professor Scammell, who is based at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham was among 20 new professors in the research and teaching promotions for 2010. Professor Scammell said: "It is a great honour to have been promoted and an absolutely amazing feeling to be the first 'lady' Professor of Orthopaedics in the UK. I couldn't have done it without the support of my colleagues and the enthusiasm of my students when they have learnt a new skill. I am very excited about the new challenges that being a Professor will bring and I hope that I will inspire other women to follow academic and surgical careers and enjoy their work as much as I do. Professor Scammell now specialises in elective orthopaedics — the majority of her patients suffer from degenerative diseases of the knee, feet and ankles.