2024 Russell G. Smith Travelling Fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Rujuta Mehta!

Dr. Rujuta Mehta has been awared the 2024 Russell G. Smith Memorial Travelling Fellowship Grant.

Dr. Mehta chose paediatric orthopaedics as a specialization because of her passion to impact the lives of children and their families. Her passion and drive led her to be the first woman to head the Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Mumbai, India – which she has been doing since 2005.

About Dr. Rujuta Mehta

Rujuta Mehta, MS (ortho), DNB (ortho) is a Paediatric Orthopedic specialist and has dedicated over 25 years to the field. Since 2005, she has led the Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Mumbai, becoming the first woman to lead this esteemed department. Established in 1925, the hospital is a premier teaching institute with a national reach, particularly serving underserved regions.

Her clinical expertise spans various orthopedic issues, with a special focus on hip dysplasia and clubfoot prevalent in India. A staunch advocate for improving bone health in girls, Dr. Mehta played a key role in formulating the DDH Care pathway for India during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with POSI, BC Children’s Hospital, and GHDR.

As the Chair of Women of APOA Advocate Educate and Support (WAVES), she actively champions better hip healthcare. As a POSNA-POGO scholar, she aims to attend EPOSNA 2024 to collaborate with international experts and develop training tools for children with hip disorders, fostering global partnerships post-COVID-19.

Supporting Dr. Mehta's scholarly endeavors will undoubtedly advance pediatric orthopedics and healthcare in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India, aligning with her belief in serving a larger purpose as articulated by Mahatma Gandhi.

Thank you to Dr. Rujuta Mehta for providing her bio.