Good care comes in threes

What are the odds of triplets? Of female triplets? Of the triplets all becoming physicians and each choosing orthopedics? The odds seem astronomical, but it all happened – and it is all happening at the University of Louisville where these triplet orthopedic surgeons were all hired to work.

Since September 2024, the Boden triplets have been doubly defying those odds as assistant professors in the School of Medicine’s department of orthopedic surgery and orthopedic surgeons at UofL Health. Their collective specialties – Lauren, spine care; Stephanie, sports medicine and shoulder; Allison, foot and ankle – cover an impressive portion of the human body.

Medicine is in their bones

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, the Boden sisters relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and spent their first 18 years growing up there. All three women were raised by multiple role models for a career in medicine, including both parents, maternal grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.

For Stephanie, that environment was inspiring. “I was drawn to medicine because it combines my passions of teamwork, teaching and caring for people,” she said. “It meant I got to see what it looked like to truly care about your job and get to make a difference in patient’s lives.” As a former college athlete, sports medicine was appealing to her because “it is hands-on, team-oriented and allows me the privilege of helping athletes and patients of all ages and ability levels regain strength and function to get them back to the activities they love.”

Lauren grew up knowing she wanted to be a part of “the family business.” She enjoyed all her medical rotations but fell in love with orthopedics and never looked back. “I love being in the (operating room) and making a direct improvement in my patient’s pain and level of function.”

Allison’s initial interest in orthopedics began in college when she shadowed orthopedic trauma surgeons for over 100 hours during the summer between her junior and senior years, where she discovered she loved the operating room. “I would be in cases that lasted four-five hours at a time and never looked at the time,” she said. “I loved how the surgeons had to work together to finish the case, and I was enamored with the feeling that the surgeons were able to fix problems and see the immediate impact surgery had on the patients.”

I never thought it would be possible that one department would be able to hire all three of us, but we jumped at the opportunity to work together.

Upon relocating to Louisville, Kentucky, the Boden sisters said they have been heartily welcomed by the UofL community and have found their niches. Despite different orthopedic specialties, all three mentioned they truly value an academic job with the ability to teach and do research in addition to taking care of patients.

“It checks all the boxes,” Stephanie said. “This position allows me to take excellent care of patients, collaborate with colleagues on patient care and research, work with residents and medical students, and start a family in a place that feels like home.”

“The UofL orthopedic surgery department … was a great fit because it is a department that really focuses on patient care and medical student and resident teaching,” Lauren said.

For Allison, the job not only fulfilled her career aspirations, but offered her the rare opportunity to work as a team once more with her best friends, aka her sisters. “I was thrilled with the opportunity to be hired with my siblings as part of a growing department,” she said.

Three on a match

After growing up in Atlanta, the sisters were apart for the first time when they embarked on residencies and fellowships in different cities and medical facilities. After six years of separation, the siblings are enjoying working together and exploring their new hometown of Louisville – a community that suits them well and which all three are thrilled to be a part of.

Stephanie is discovering Louisville’s great food scene, while Lauren is appreciating the wide-ranging bourbon options and patiently awaiting baseball season. Allison looks forward to golfing and experienced her first Derby this spring. The sisters also have discovered Louisville treasures like St. James Court Art Show in Old Louisville and the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular at Iroquois Park, while enjoying soccer games, walking trails, new restaurants and even joining a pickleball league.

“My sisters and I work so well together, and it has been so much fun getting to work together, help each other and be close to family as we all start our careers,” Stephanie said.

“I never thought it would be possible that one department would be able to hire all three of us, but we jumped at the opportunity to work together,” Lauren said.

Allison said she is happy to have her biggest supporters with her on this new journey. “The time after finishing training is always stressful. Starting a new job, moving to a new city … I can’t imagine doing this without them here by my side.”

Explore more stories from the spring/summer 2025 issue of UofL Magazine