Dawn M. LaPorte

DAWN M. LAPORTE, M.D., is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery where she is also vice chair of education and director of the residency program.

Dr. LaPorte joined the department in 2001, and in 2015 she became the second female professor in the department’s 107-year history. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she also completed her residency. Dr. LaPorte’s fellowship was in hand and upper extremity surgery at the Raymond Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore.

She is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader for her work in education and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Within the department, Dr. LaPorte has served as residency program director since 2006, and vice chair of education since 2014. Her tireless work for the residents includes developing and implementing a formal longitudinal mentoring program, as well as successfully advocating for increased diversity both in the program and throughout the department.

Outside of the department, Dr. LaPorte authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications, has chaired the American Society for Surgery of the Hand’s Resident Educator Workshop as well as its Resident and Fellow Review Course, served as vice chair of the Orthopaedic Residency Review Committee, and is an oral examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. As president of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, she led the field’s national women’s organization; she is also the international co-chair of Women in Orthopaedics Worldwide. Dr. LaPorte is certified in hand surgery and in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.