Don't let aches slow you down.

From the time of his first knee injury as a high school athlete, Joseph L. Ferguson, MD, DPT, knew he wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. On his way to turning those early ambitions into reality, his original interest in medicine gradually shifted to a related discipline—physical therapy.

After completing the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Dr. Ferguson joined nearby Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. While there, he loved his work, especially with cases involving brain and spinal cord injuries, and stroke recovery. However, he soon realized that his interest in orthopedic surgery had only been sidelined.

Despite having an advanced clinical degree, he started training from scratch—four years of medical school, followed by another six years of internship, residency, and fellowship.

Now, as a surgeon at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, he’s fulfilled his ambitions with a special focus on treating spinal disorders. He believes his dual background enhances his treatment skills, especially when helping patients understand elements of the postoperative recovery process.

“I think I’m a better surgeon and physician for having done both,” he says. “Overlaying physical therapy with medical knowledge lets me see the patient’s whole picture.”