Thunder Orthopedics

03/09/2026

At Thunder Orthopedics, Traci Mahoney, PA-C, gives her knowledge, voice, mentorship, and time to serve as an advocate for women and to be a role model in our community.

“Imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. At work, at home, and in the community, there are many ways to overtly advance women.”

Be a Traci Mahoney in your sphere of influence. The world will be better for it.

Give respect
Give donations
Give visibility
Give knowledge
Give funding
Give justice
Give resources
Give a voice
Give protection
Give truth
Give equal pay
Give celebration
Give sponsorship
Give mentoring
Give credit
Give budget
Give introductions
Give workshops
Give opportunities
Give safety
Give training
Give stretch assignments
Give momentum
Give role models
Give growth
Give access
Give time”

FREE International Women's Day 2026 theme resources -

03/01/2026

Thunder Orthopedics watches Women’s Sports!

🏀 🏀 🏀

UVA vs Va Tech

02/27/2026

Excerpt from article:
“In orthopedic surgery, for example, women accounted for just 6% of active physicians in 2022, up from 3% in 2004. ‘We’re not really diversifying overall across specialties,’ …
Experts say long-standing cultural and environmental barriers within certain specialties may contribute to those patterns. Research has documented high rates of harassment and gender bias across medicine, and some specialties historically have been characterized by rigid hierarchies and demanding schedules.”

02/23/2026

Thankful for modern day technology to help our Olympic Athletes. These competitors have been truly amazing. Praying for complete healing for Ms. Vonn.

02/14/2026

The Jeffersonland Chorus surprised the staff (and patients) of Thunder Orthopedics with beautiful a capella songs 🎶 for Valentine’s Day yesterday. Such a wonderful gift from amazing singers.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

02/09/2026

Thunder orthopedics watches women’s sports.

Happy National Girl & Women in Sports Day!

Go Wahoos! Huge win today over the Irish.

🏀 🏀 🏀

02/07/2026

Go 🇺🇸

The message Kendall Coyne Schofield posted on her social media was not terribly difficult to decipher. A framed blackboard propped in front of Schofield’s two dogs, Penny and Blue, spelled out the message: Baby Schofield Coming Summer 2023. The dogs wore matching big sister bandanas in case someth...

02/03/2026

National Women Physician Day is celebrated annually on February 3rd, to honor the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell - the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US in 1849. She advocated for educating young girls and demonstrating empathy in the practice of medicine. She faced extraordinary sexism. Regarding this sexism, Dr. Megan Swanson says: “It is truly shocking and disappointing that the sexism continues. Looking at the large orthopedic groups in our state, one can see that they are consistently almost completely male dominated. That is not an accident and it is not because women are not in the medical field. In fact, more than half of today’s medical students are female.”

Unfortunately, literature indicates that sexism is widespread in orthopedic surgery, with female surgeons facing high rates of gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and a "boys' club" culture. Key challenges include a lack of female mentors, bullying, devaluation of skills, and pressure to conform to male-dominated environments. Dr. Swanson further adds: “If we don’t talk about it, and call it out into the light, then nothing changes. If nothing changes, then orthopedic patients lose out on access to some of the best medical students who choose not to go into orthopedics. Also, we lose the chance to ask better research questions as we know that diverse researchers ask more robust research questions.”

01/29/2026

We are open! Call for an appointment.
This little guy came to the back windows today.

01/26/2026

🧊 🧊 🧊

Ice day on Tuesday, January 27: Phones will be open and visits be changed to virtual telehealth visits.

All in-office appointments are canceled. Please call to reschedule if we haven’t contacted you yet and you have an in-person visit on 1/27.

Be safe!
❄️ ❄️ ❄️

01/22/2026

❄️ ❄️ ❄️
Snow day on Monday, January 26: Phones will be open and Telehealth visits will proceed virtually.

All in-office appointments are canceled. Please call to reschedule if we haven’t contacted you yet and you have an in-person visit on 1/26.

Be safe!
❄️ ❄️ ❄️

01/16/2026

Three years ago today, Thunder Ortho opened its doors for the first time to patients. After more than 17,000 patient visits and 3 Charlottesville’s Finest awards, we asked Dr. Swanson what she has learned starting an independent private ortho practice in these modern times when that is simply not done and not easy.

She said: “Have joy in the journey. God wins in the end. He won’t let us fail.”