Richard O'Donnell

Richard O'Donnell is a Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco, where he holds leadership roles as Founder of the Orthopaedic Surgical Osseointegration Society (OSOS) and Director of both the UCSF Musculoskeletal Research Consortium (METRiCS) and the UCSF international Center for Osseointegration Research, Education, and Surgery (iCORES). Previously, he served as Chief of the Orthopaedic Oncology Service (2002-2019) and Director of the Sarcoma Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (through 2023).

His educational background includes an A.B. in Biology from Harvard College (1985), an M.D. from Harvard Medical School (1989), Orthopaedic Surgery Residency through the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Program (1995), and a Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship at the University of Washington (1996). Additional appointments include Extramural Member of the Department of Defense Osseointegration Program Steering Committee and Visiting Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, with service under the American Red Cross at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

O'Donnell's research focuses on orthopaedic oncology, sarcoma management, and osseointegration technologies, with significant contributions to musculoskeletal tumor surgery and limb preservation. His work bridges clinical innovation and translational research, particularly in endoprosthetic reconstruction and infection prevention. During the pandemic, he spearheaded international studies on cancer surgery safety, demonstrating adaptability in crisis response while maintaining oncologic priorities.

His publication trends reveal dual expertise: pre-pandemic work centered on bone tumors and sarcoma outcomes, while recent research addresses pandemic-era surgical challenges through large global collaborations like COVIDSurg and PARITY. This pivot highlights his leadership in maintaining cancer care continuity during health crises while advancing foundational orthopaedic oncology.

• Best Paper Award, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Annual Meeting (2018)
• Top Doctors recognition by Marin Magazine and San Francisco Magazine (2017-2020)
• Bishop's Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award, Diocese of Allentown (2017)

As principal investigator for multi-institutional trials including PARITY (antibiotic regimens in tumor surgery) and FORCE (endoprosthetic outcomes), O'Donnell secures significant collaborative funding. His mentorship extends through OSOS and iCORES, fostering international networks for osseointegration research. Current grants support pandemic-responsive surgical frameworks and sarcoma treatment optimization.

He leads the UCSF Musculoskeletal Research Consortium (METRiCS) and iCORES, which coordinate translational research across orthopaedic oncology, osseointegration, and surgical innovation. These centers facilitate industry partnerships for prosthetic development and maintain active clinical trial portfolios, with iCORES specifically advancing global education in osseointegration techniques.