Meet Dr. John Dearborn
On behalf of my staff, I want to welcome you to our orthopaedic practice, the Institute for Joint Restoration, and this informational website. I’d like to encourage you to review our history, which tells you a great deal about where we’ve been. More importantly, you’ll want to get to know us as people and that will require that you linger, ask questions and engage with us as more than your health care provider.
As you can probably tell, we have limited our focus to the surgical treatment of hip and knee arthritis, in order to offer you the most expert care possible. I was drawn to joint replacement surgery during my training because I saw that across the spectrum of orthopaedic surgery, joint replacement had the greatest positive impact on people’s lives. Who wouldn’t want to focus on these life-changing procedures? I perform less invasive total hip and knee replacements, as well as complex hip and knee revision surgeries. I also have interest in partial knee replacement and partial patellofemoral replacement. More information can be found under the Services section.
In order to deliver these specialized procedures in a consistent and compassionate way, we value strong teamwork and have been blessed with a talented and caring staff. We work closely with physician assistants, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and discharge planners to anticipate and meet the needs of our patients. With the help of my team, over the past 25 years I have performed over 18,000 joint replacement procedures personally. Our extensive clinical research program investigates both the latest technology, as well as current state of the thousands of prostheses already implanted by us (and others), in order to identify the best materials, designs and techniques. Our data is widely referenced and has been presented all over the world.
Because of our narrow focus and high volume, we have a wealth of clinical experience in the field of joint replacement. Because we have chosen not to employ Resident Physicians, we have committed to advancing our field through the postgraduate education of practicing orthopaedic surgeons. This involves teaching surgeons who come to visit, presenting our data at national educational meetings, and publication of our research. We collect a tremendous amount of data, which helps not only our own patients in their recovery, but also patients of other surgeons around the globe.
Far more important to me than my training or what I have accomplished, is my identity as a follower of Jesus Christ. When we think about our lives, we realize everyone is serving something, whether it is work, family, the pursuit of wealth, power, or whatever else people believe will make them happy. I have learned through personal experience, as well as by observing the lives of others, that these pursuits alone do not reliably provide lasting joy. Regardless of my performance, I have found forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance through placing my faith in Jesus. Nothing that the world offers can compare with this. I promise that I will not proselytize, but if you are curious, feel free to ask me about the reason for the hope that I have.
Dr. John Dearborn CV
Education
1983
Graduate, Acalanes High School, Lafayette, California, Valedictorian
1987
B.A., Psychology, Stanford University, with Honors, with Distinction
1987
B.S., Biological Sciences, Stanford University, with Distinction
1991
M.D., University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
Internships and Residencies
1991 - 1992
Internship in General Surgery, University of California, San Francisco. Program Chairman: Haile T. Debas, MD
1992 - 1996
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco. Program Chairman: David S. Bradford, MD
Fellowship
1996 - 1997
Total Joint Replacement, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Fellowship Director: William H. Harris, MD
Licensure and Certification
1992
California Medical License #G076369
1999
Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
2000
Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Faculty Appointments
1996 - 1997
Assistant in Orthopaedics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Hospital Affiliations
1996 - 1997
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
1996 - 1997
Carney Hospital, Dorchester, MA
1997
Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Fremont, CA
1998 - 2004
Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA
1999 - 2002
John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek, CA
Committee Appointments
1993 - 1995
Hospital Ethics Committee, University of California, San Francisco
1992 - 1996
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco. Program Chairman: David S. Bradford, MD
1996 - 1997
Total Joint Replacement, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Fellowship Director: William H. Harris, MD
Licensure and Certification
1992
California Medical License #G076369
1999
Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
2000
Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Faculty Appointments
1996 - 1997
Assistant in Orthopaedics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Industry Research & Interface
- Clinical research studies related to implant performance
- Joint implant design and evaluation
- Research and development of joint replacement instrumentation
- Presentation of research at orthopaedic educational meetings
- Writing of scientific articles for publication
- Community lectures regarding arthritis prevention and treatment
- Participation and leadership in local and national organizations and committees
