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Women in Medtech Forum: Innovating for Inclusion: Reshaping MedTech for Women Surgeons

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM) (EST)

Description

Women account for more than 60% of joint replacement surgeries in the United States, yet only 6% of practicing orthopedic surgeons—the lowest percentage of women in any medical specialty—are women. This stark disparity highlights a clear and pressing need for change.

This Women in Medtech Forum will explore ways the industry is proactively working to recruit and retain more female surgeons including increasing collaboration, education, technological innovation and encouraging a diverse workforce.

The event will include a keynote presentation from Johnson & Johnson MedTech and moderated fireside chat, focusing on the disparities in design of traditional surgical tools. From inclusive design to robotics, the discussion will center around the latest technological innovations specifically designed to meet the ergonomic, physical, and professional needs of female surgeons.

AGENDA

8:00 am	Registration & Networking
8:45 am	Welcome Remarks
8:50 am	Keynote, Fireside Chat, Discussion & Q&A
10:15 am	Networking

SPEAKERS

	Sarah Brownhill, PhD R&D Director - Complex Spine J&J MedTech DePuy Synthes Spine Sarah Brownhill is the R&D Director for Complex Spine at Johnson & Johnson Medtech Orthopaedics, where she leads an innovative team dedicated to advancing thoracolumbar and cervical spine products. With over 20 years of experience in orthopedics R&D, Sarah is passionate about solving challenging problems and addressing significant clinical unmet needs. She earned her Bioengineering degree Magna Cum Laude from the University of Toledo and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester, where her dissertation earned her a Young Investigator Award. Sarah began her career at Wright Medical Technology, developing the first patient-specific total ankle arthroplasty pre-op navigation system and investigated knee and ankle kinematics. She later worked at CoorsTek Medical, developing instrumentation and managing a team of engineers. From there she moved onto Zimmer Biomet, taking on broader leadership responsibilities over the Foot and Ankle team overseeing various projects including Total Ankle Arthroplasty Systems. Since joining Depuy Synthes Spine in 2018, she has successfully launched multiple pedicle screw projects. Sarah holds 30 issued patents and over 30 scientific publications. Sarah also leads the R&D component of Women of Spine, was the Spine culture lead, and serves as the Raynham Campus ERG lead. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, balancing work and family life.
	Sharrolyn Josse WW President Joint Reconstruction, Orthopaedics Johnson & Johnson MedTech Sharrolyn is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience bringing healthcare solutions to market in the medical devices industry. She has worked in multiple geographies, overseeing global sales, leading marketing, and developing innovative pipeline solutions. She is currently the president of Joint Reconstruction within the Orthopaedics business at Johnson & Johnson MedTech. She is responsible for setting the Joint Reconstruction strategy and pipeline and driving execution across the global regions. Sharrolyn is an authentic leader who empowers and inspires her teams. She is dedicated to developing talent that works across functions and geographies to ensure alignment and execution through a shared vision of "Keeping People Moving. Sharrolyn was born in South Africa and grew up in Toronto, Canada, and Minneapolis, MN. She holds a B.A. in International Business from Linfield College in Oregon and has furthered her education with an Executive MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. This commitment to continuous learning and growth is a testament to her dedication to professional development, both within and outside of J&J. Sharrolyn is the mother of two boys. She and her family now live in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She loves traveling, gardening, learning about new cultures, and spending time with her family! She ignites purpose and passion in those around her. Her life purpose statement is to be authentic, bring energy, contribute to humanity, and illuminate magnificence.
	Dr. Taryn E. LeRoy Orthopedic Spine Specialist New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) Dr. Taryn E. LeRoy is a member of multiple organizations including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS), Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS), New England Orthopedic Society (NEOS), North American Spine Society (NASS), and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). She serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine and is committed to medical student, resident, and fellow education. She us currently the Director of Resident Education at New England Baptist Hospital. Dr. Taryn E. LeRoy is a Massachusetts native. Born and raised in Braintree, MA she then went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Hispanic Studies at Boston College, graduating Magna Cum Laude, receiving Dean’s List All Semesters, and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Honor Society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. She was accepted early assurance to Tufts University School of Medicine, where she received her Doctorate of Medicine (MD). During her time, she received numerous awards, including being inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. She completed both internship and residency at Tufts Affiliated Hospitals Orthopaedic Residency Program. She then went on to complete the Washington University in St. Louis/Barnes Jewish Hospital Spine Fellowship.
	Dr. Shaina Lipa Spine Surgeon Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dr. Shaina Lipa is a spine surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who specializes in the treatment of adult spinal disorders. Her training enables her to care for patients with cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine issues that arise from all causes - degenerative, deformity, traumatic and neoplastic. Her primary goal is to provide excellent, evidence-based patient care to all patients.
	Kirk Taylor, MD President and CEO Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Kirk Taylor, MD is a global pharmaceutical executive with expertise in Phase II – IV drug development, including CNS, oncology and rare disease. As Chief Medical Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and SVP Medical Affairs, he has restructured organizations, created strategic operating plans, and shaped corporate culture. His entrepreneurial acumen assisted in leading biotech start-up companies to successful IPOs and multiple funding rounds. He is people-first focused, leading teams with respect and innovation. In recognition of his positive impact, he was awarded the 2023 PharmaVoice 100 Executives Award. Dr. Taylor received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and studied piano at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge. He completed his Doctor of Medicine from the State University of New York, Downstate, his neurology residency at Einstein College of Medicine, and a post-doc at UCSF. He taught pain management to neurology residents at Yale VA Hospital for two years. Dr. Taylor fulfilled Deloitte University’s Sigma Pi Phi Board Directors Academy Program. With a personal commitment to excellence in corporate governance, he completed a certificate program in corporate governance from Columbia Business School and the Next Generation Board Directors program at UC Berkeley. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and serves on three non-profit boards.