Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew: A Pioneer in Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew is not only a highly accomplished Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon, but also a trailblazer in her field. She is the first Black woman Orthopaedic Surgeon to become a partner at Resurgens Orthopaedics in Atlanta, Georgia. Her journey is a powerful story of perseverance and a deep commitment to both her patients and her community.
A Story of Resilience and Purpose
Born in Birmingham, England, to Jamaican parents, Dr. Bilbrew is the first physician in her family. Her journey into medicine was shaped by a profound experience at a young age. While visiting her grandmother in an English hospital, she witnessed the mistreatment of her family member, an experience that ignited a fierce determination to become a doctor. She was motivated to become the antithesis of the physicians she observed, choosing to dedicate her life to compassionate and equitable care.
In 1995, Dr. Bilbrew and her family moved to the United States to begin her medical journey. She earned her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Chemistry from the University of Miami and her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. She then completed her orthopaedic residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, followed by a fellowship in Hand, Elbow, Shoulder, and Microsurgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
Advancing the Field and Advocating for Change
Dr. Bilbrew’s expertise extends beyond the operating room. Her research interests focus on diversity and inclusion within orthopaedic surgery, and she has published work on the impact of racial differences in the evaluation and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Her dedication to addressing healthcare disparities is a direct reflection of her personal experiences and professional mission.
In her practice, Dr. Bilbrew is one of a very small group of African American female surgeons in the state of Georgia. This scarcity has motivated her to become an active advocate for healthcare policy. She travels yearly to Washington D.C. to speak on behalf of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) to senators and congresspersons. She holds influential positions as a Member at Large for the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, a Young Member for the AAOS Political Action Committee, and a Board Member on the Government Affairs Committee for the American Surgical Society of the Hand.
Mentorship and Community Engagement
Dr. Bilbrew is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals. She dedicates her time to mentoring medical and physician assistant students at Morehouse School of Medicine, as well as high school and undergraduate students with an interest in medicine. She annually hosts a Women in Medicine Mentoring Brunch to expose local Atlanta high school students to physicians of color, creating a vital pipeline for future minority doctors.
In addition to her mentorship, Dr. Bilbrew is a dedicated community leader. Each fall and winter, she organizes school supply drives for the DeKalb County School System and a toy drive in conjunction with the Marine’s Toys for Tots.
Dr. Bilbrew’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She was recently featured in The Atlantan Magazine as one of Atlanta’s top board-certified orthopaedic surgeons and has been voted among Georgia Trend’s “Top 40 Under 40.” She was also recognized as one of Modern Luxury‘s “Influential Atlantans in Medicine” and “Most Powerful Women of Atlanta.”
Her ultimate goal is to ensure that the next generation of minority orthopaedic surgeons surpasses her, continuing to build and grow for generations to come.
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