Now as an orthopaedic surgeon, researcher and honorary clinical senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide, Alder-Price spends a lot of time voluntarily teaching orthopaedics to medical students, GPs and physiotherapists as well as teaching at the University of Adelaide.

The 35-year-old now mentors female students and junior doctors with the hope that they do not have to experience the isolation she felt as a female doctor.

“As a surgeon in a heavily male-dominated field, the main challenge has been breaking the bias against female surgeons,” Alder-Price said.

“Currently, greater than 50 per cent of medical students are female, however less than 12 per cent of surgeons are female, and only 5 per cent of orthopaedic surgeons are female.

“Until completing my surgical training, there had been a constant stream of voices questioning my choices and abilities based on gender rather than performance. And with few female role models, the voices of support and belief were scarce.

“To overcome the doubt I made sure any objective measures exceeded my competition, so any voices of doubt could be met with objective evidence to the contrary. This included undertaking and publishing a significant body of research, attending courses, presenting at conferences and acquiring research grants and scholarships.”

Alder-Price said  she learned how important role models and mentors are, and how to navigate difficult personalities and discrimination.

“I’ve come through the experience a more compassionate person and determine to be the role model I was missing in the community,” she said.

“I have spoken at high schools and many university surgical nights to ensure young females know they can be surgeons, and they won’t be alone.”

Heavily involved in medical research, Angela has published 16 peer-reviewed papers with recognition from the University of Adelaide James McWha Rising Star Award in 2022 for her innovative research.

The mother of two will take over as SA Health’s northern network orthopaedic training director in August while she continues to grow her private business through networking and advertising.

“I am trying to recruit several of the graduating female surgeons to our practice to have a larger female presence,” she said.

Alder-Price won the Discovery Award presented by CMAX which recognises an innovative leader in a life sciences enterprise whose business activities have high impact potential for future health outcomes.