Spine Surgery Experts

William F. Donaldson III, MD
Chief, Division of Spine Surgery

Dr. Donaldson is a professor of orthopaedic surgery and neurological surgery, chief of the Orthopaedic Spine Service, and vice chairman for Administrative Service in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has been named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine multiple times, and a Best Doctor nationally.

Dr. Donaldson is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery. He treats patients at UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore, and UPMC St. Margaret. After receiving his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, he completed his residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell/Sloan-Kettering, in New York and completed his fellowship at the same institution. He is involved in research in spinal biomechanics, spinal anatomy, and clinical studies. Dr. Donaldson has published numerous papers, presented at national and international spine meetings, and received national recognition for these endeavors.

James D. Kang, MD
Dr. Kang is vice-chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, director of the Ferguson Laboratory for Spine Research, and a professor of orthopaedic and neurological surgery. He also holds the UPMC Endowed Chair in orthopaedic spine surgery.

As a leader in the science and treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration, his clinical focus is on degenerative spinal disorders, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs. His research involves the biochemistry of disc degeneration and the use of gene therapy, as well as the biomechanics of the spine. He has authored nearly 300 clinical and research publications, and is the recipient of many of the highest awards given by leading international spine societies.

Joon Y. Lee, MD
Dr. Lee’s specialties are cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine surgery, including minimally invasive techniques, disc replacement, and microsurgical decompression. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley, he obtained his medical degree from Yale Medical School and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, followed by a fellowship at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Dr. Lee has been involved in research at the National Institutes of Health, Yale Medical School Research Laboratories, and the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, and has authored numerous international articles and lectures on spine surgery topics.

W. Timothy Ward, MD
Chief, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Ward is a professor of orthopaedic surgery and executive vice chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. A Pittsburgh native, he attended medical school at the University of Pittsburgh.

He is fellowship trained in adult spinal surgery and pediatric orthopaedic surgery. The most influential role model in his career is his former residency director, J. Leonard Goldner, MD, former chief of orthopaedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center.