John E. McDonald, Jr., MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and Hip, Shoulder, and Knee Arthroscopy
John E. McDonald Jr., MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He graduated cum laude from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he played NCAA Division I tennis for the Hoyas. He attended medical school at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where he was named to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, an honor given to those graduating in the top 10% of their class.
Dr. McDonald completed his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at UT Southwestern and Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He spent time overseas in Norwich, England where he worked exclusively with knee and shoulder surgeons and learned a tremendous amount about cost-effective medicine.
Dr. McDonald also completed fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopy at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman-Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado, where he trained directly under many of the world's top experts in orthopaedic sports medicine and hip, shoulder, and knee arthroscopy and reconstruction.
In Vail, he cared for numerous professional athletes from the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, PGA tour, and professional tennis, as well as collegiate, high school, and recreational athletes. He served as the team physician for the US National Snowboard team at the 2011 World Championships and was one of the team physicians for a local high school in Colorado.
Throughout his clinical training, Dr. McDonald has been involved in research in the field of orthopaedics. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the Journal of Arthroscopy, and Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, and he has co-authored several book chapters and review articles on hip arthroscopy, multi-ligament knee injuries, traumatic shoulder and hip injuries, and more. He has presented his research at multiple national meetings. Currently, Dr. McDonald commonly serves as teaching faculty at meetings where orthopaedic surgeons come to learn hip arthroscopy and complex knee and shoulder arthroscopy. In 2016, Dr. McDonald was asked to serve as a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Research Committee.Dr. McDonald is member of the teaching faculty of Dell Medical School's Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, Clerkship Director of Sports Medicine, and sits on the Residency interview committee. To learn more, please click here.
Dr. McDonald was named Best Orthopedic Surgeon by Austin Fit Magazine in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. McDonald was named to the Texas Monthly Super Doctors Rising Stars list and to the Texas Monthly Super Doctors list in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Dr. McDonald also serves as a hip consultant for the University of Texas Department of Athletics. Through all of this, Dr. McDonald has worked as a team physician for Bowie high school since 2011.
In his free time, Dr. McDonald enjoys golf, tennis, hiking, and skiing. He is joined in Austin by his wife, a University of Texas alumna and dermatologist at Central Texas Dermatology, Halliday (Hallie) McDonald, MD, and their two daughters and son.
Professional Affiliations:
- Fellow American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Arthroscopy Association of North America
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
- Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Kate DeFord, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Kate DeFord was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2006, where she skied for the UT Water Ski Team. She attended the physician assistant program at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. Having a longtime interest in orthopedics, Kate opted to take three elective orthopedic rotations during her training to become a PA-C. After graduating from the UTSW PA program in 2010, she began her career working for an orthopedic surgeon at The Carrell Clinic in Dallas, Texas, specializing in hip and knee replacement. In May of 2013, Kate relocated to Austin, Texas to be closer to her family, friends, and her beloved Longhorn football. After working in Austin for a year, she came across the opportunity to work for Dr. John McDonald in June 2014. Kate has thoroughly enjoyed working for Dr. McDonald, as she shares the same drive and passion caring for patients suffering from various sports diagnoses.
Outside of Texas Orthopedics, Kate is passionate about sharing her PA experience and educating PA-C students. She has been a mentor for several PA school applicants during their admission and interview process and has been involved with admissions to the PA program at UT Southwestern, serving as an interviewer for PA candidates. Kate also served as an instructor for the physical exam course at UTSW PA program for first year PA-C students.
In her free time, Kate enjoys water skiing, traveling, and the ever popular Austin live music scene with her husband, son and daughter..
