Breaking Barriers: Dr Tahsin Ferdous’ journey as a trailblazer in Orthopaedics

In a world where orthopaedic surgery has long been the preserve of men, Dr. Tahsin Ferdous has been operating right through the glass ceiling. Born and raised in Dhaka, Tahsin is Stellar Woman Season 2 winner in Healthcare. She represents positivity, resilience, and ambition, as well as a new narrative for women in surgery.

Tahsin grew up in a home brimming with love and hope. With childhood memories from Narayanganj and Chandpur, her early years were steeped in the kind of values that create trailblazers. "I was never told 'you can't'," she says. "Instead, I was told, 'you can, and you will'." That singular shift in language planted the seeds of self-belief and ambition that would guide her through a path not considered traditional for most women.

Her schooling at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College—one of the country's most prestigious all-girls' institutions—was equally pivotal. Surrounded by accomplished peers and visionary educators, Tahsin was taught that women could "climb mountains and dive into oceans." These weren't just poetic metaphors—they were marching orders for a generation of confident, capable women.

Tahsin's journey was shaped by the unwavering strength of the women and men who supported her. Her mother, whom she calls her greatest influence, nurtured a spirit of fearlessness in her. Her husband, too, has always offered steadfast encouragement and respect for her professional ambitions, helping build the kind of foundation every woman needs to thrive in a male-dominated space.

Importantly, Tahsin's mentors in the surgical field never used her gender as a measurement of limitation. "They challenged me based on my ability," she reflects, "and never treated my gender as a disadvantage." These affirming experiences fueled her commitment not just to her specialty—but to redefining who belongs in it.

For Tahsin, orthopaedics was never just about bones. It was about restoring independence, giving people back their freedom through mobility, and being part of a deeply human journey of healing. She fell in love with anatomy in medical school, but it was orthopaedics that really "called to her sense of purpose."

While the field is often mischaracterized as one relying on brute strength, Tahsin dispels that myth with authority. "Orthopaedics is about mastery of technique, planning, precision, and the ability to withstand mental hardship. That is where women thrive." She sees empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence as strengths women bring—qualities that modern surgical care desperately needs.

She earned her MBBS from Anwer Khan Modern Medical College in 2022 and is now serving as a Medical Officer in the Orthopaedics Department at BIHS General Hospital in Darus Salam. As part of her training, she completed the prestigious Limb Length Deformity Correction course at the Bari-Ilizarov Orthopaedic Centre—a testament to her pursuit of technical excellence.

Entering the field came riddled with its own set of hardships. Tahsin faced doubts and dismissive attitudes about her strength and place in orthopaedics, time and again. Tahsin did not bow down to demotivation from outsiders; she worked tirelessly to prove all these negative people wrong. She feels that barriers are also opportunities, which, if fueled by passion and the support of our dearest ones, can turn into one's strongest shield.

Her decision to join the bti–The Daily Star Stellar Women Initiative was a conscious one. "It wasn't just a personal achievement," she says. "It was a message to every girl who aspires to make a difference in a non-traditional space: you can." Today, she is a visible and vocal advocate for women in surgery, particularly in orthopaedics.

Tahsin sees Stellar Women as more than a celebration—it is a movement. "It builds confidence, builds visibility, and plants seeds of courage in the hearts of women who are still on the sidelines." For Tahsin, it is a platform that tells society that women are no longer waiting for a seat at the table—they are claiming ownership of it.

Her message to aspiring female surgeons is crystal clear: "The world needs you. Orthopaedic surgery needs you. Get into the world, and don't look back."

And as she continues to rise, Tahsin never forgets the responsibility that comes with visibility. "While you're climbing," she says, "lift and support other women whenever you can. We are powerful together."

Dr. Tahsin Ferdous stands tall—both literally and metaphorically—in a field that once questioned her place in it. Her story is more than an individual triumph; it's a rallying cry for young women watching from the sidelines, wondering if they can do it too.

Now, they know they can. Because Tahsin did.