The Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is committed to conducting cutting edge research, training the next generation of leaders and providing world-class patient care for both adult and pediatric patients.
Orthopedics
As part of the University of Wisconsin community, our Orthopedic program is made up of world-renown providers, cutting-edge research, and comprehensive and competitive surgical training opportunities.
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Rehabilitation Medicine
UW Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation transforms lives by improving function and quality of life through compassionate, evidence-based, and equitable care; advancing the field through collaborative research; and training future PM&R leaders.
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Learn More About Us
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Research is a strong component of our program. With over 9,000 square feet of research space, basic, clinical, and translational research is conducted to improve orthopedic and rehabilitative care around the world.
Our residency and fellowship programs have a strong reputation for training well-rounded clinicians with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their respective field.
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The Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin provides care in a setting that unites experts from several specialties resulting in the best possible treatment plan.
Our Vision and Mission
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Our vision is to build excellence and distinction in clinical outcomes, translatable research, and graduate training programs that result in local, regional and national prominence.
Our mission is to provide excellent patient care across all aspects of orthopedics and rehabilitation, delivered in a patient-centered, timely, affordable and collegial manner utilizing innovative technology while promoting and advancing socially responsible medical education and research.
Latest News
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Featured Stories
After 32 years, David Bernhardt will step away from the wide world of sports medicine to retire
May 22, 2026 – Your “dream job”? Many people hold that in mind and then try to find one as close as possible to it. David Bernhardt, MD, professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation with a joint appointment in the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, is one of those extraordinarily rare few who found his on the first try. Bernhardt specializes in primary care sports medicine and is the director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship. He is the team physician for the University of Wisconsin Athletics Department, providing medical coverage for Badger men’s basketball and women’s volleyball, as well as for men’s and women’s cross country and track. And now, after 32 years doing the work he has loved, Bernhardt will step away into a deserved retirement on June 30.
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Josh Roth, PhD, Receives NSF CAREER Award to Advance Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
June 11, 2026 – Josh Roth, PhD, an assistant professor in the UW Departments of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation and Mechanical Engineering, has received a five-year $630,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to advance research on knee joint instability and its role in osteoarthritis.
While joint instability often limits mobility and accelerates the progression of osteoarthritis, the root cause of this instability is not well understood. Dr. Roth’s project aims to untangle the contributions of ligaments and muscles to joint stability, providing tools and insights that could lead to more personalized and effective treatments.
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