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William Watters III, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Houston, TX, University of Texas Medical Branch

WilliamCharlesWattersIIIMD,MMS, MS(He/Him)

Orthopaedic Surgery • Houston, TX

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Past President, North American Spine Society; Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell School of Medicine and Institute of Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Texas; Clinical Professor Orthopedics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Education & Training

  • University of Pennsylvania Health System
    University of Pennsylvania Health SystemResidency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1977 - 1980
  • University of Pennsylvania Health System
    University of Pennsylvania Health SystemResidency, Surgery, 1976 - 1977
  • University of Pennsylvania Health System
    University of Pennsylvania Health SystemResidency, Internal Medicine, 1974 - 1976
  • Harvard Medical School
    Harvard Medical SchoolClass of 1974
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
    University of Wisconsin-MadisonBS, Psychology
  • University of Wisconsin Foundation
    University of Wisconsin FoundationMSc, Psychology

Certifications & Licensure

  • NJ State Medical License
    NJ State Medical License 1980 - Present
  • TX State Medical License
    TX State Medical License 1982 - 2026
  • PA State Medical License
    PA State Medical License 1975 - 1986
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Orthopaedic Surgery
  • American Board of Spine SurgerySpine Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • “America’s Top Orthopedic Surgeons” Consumer’s Research Council of America, 2008-2014, 2017
  • Top Doctor Castle Connolly, 2008-2017
  • Achievement Award American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, 2013-2016
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • The Global Spine Care Initiative: World Spine Care Executive Summary on Reducing Spine-Related Disability in Low- and Middle-Income Communities  
    Michael Modic, David Borenstein, Scott Haldeman, Matthew Smuck, William 3rd Watters, European spine journal
  • The Global Spine Care Initiative: Model of Care and Implementation  
    Michael Modic, Matthew Smuck, David Borenstein, William 3rd Watters, Scott Haldeman, European spine journal
  • The Global Spine Care Initiative: Classification System for Spine-Related Concerns  
    William 3rd Watters, Michael Modic, Scott Haldeman, David Borenstein, European spine journal
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Books/Book Chapters

  • Prove it! Evidence-based Analysis of Common Spine Practice. 
    Chapter: Case 22: L5-S1 Slip and Herniation. 
    Watters, W.C.Editors: Bono, CM and Fisher, CG.Wolters Kluer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA2010
  • Occupational Musculoskeletal disorders: Function, Outcomes, and Evidence 
    Chapter: Diagnostic imaging in Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders. 
    Watters, W.C.Editors: Mayer, T.G. and Gatchel, R.J..Lippincott-Raven2000
  • Techniques in Spinal Stabilization. 
    Chapter: Utilization of the Rogozinski Rod System for Stabilization of the Lumbosacral and Thorocolumbar Spine. 
    Rogozinski, C., Rogozinski, A., and Watters, W.C.Editors: Fessler, R.G..McGraw Hill, New York, NY1996

Abstracts/Posters

  • Minimally Invasive Lumbar Deformity Surgery.
    Watters, W.C. (Session Director and Moderator), IV World Congress on Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques, Paris, France, 6/11/2014
  • Concurrent Session 3: Cutting Edge.
    Jacquot, F., Watters, W.C. (Moderators), IV World Congress on Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques, Paris, France, 6/11/2014
  • What are Best Practices for Spinal Stenosis?
    Watters, W.C., Bone and Joint Initiative’s 2013 Musculoskeletal Summit: Best Practices in Patient-centered Musculoskeletal Care, Washington, DC, 11/18/2013
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Lectures

  • An Evidence-based analysis of the likelihood of adjacent segment disease developing above or below a lumbar motion segment fusions. 
    Clear Lake, TX - 3/17/2009
  • Evidence-based Medicine and the Workers’ Compensation Patient. 
    Houston, TX - 3/3/2007
  • Overview and Use of the ODG Treatment Guidelines. 
    Houston, TX - 3/3/2007
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Other

  • Faking Medical Records 
    WC Watters, Spineline
    9/1/2014
  • NASS: All Things Spine. 
    WC Watters, Spineline
    3/1/2014
  • Ethical Decision Making: The Patient-physician relationship. 
    WC Watters, Spineline
    1/1/2014
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Press Mentions

  • 10 Must-Read Q&As on Biologics from 2018
    10 Must-Read Q&As on Biologics from 2018December 26th, 2018
  • Major Breakthroughs in Spinal Biologics, Disc Regeneration on the Horizon: 3 Key Thoughts from Dr. William Watters Featured
    Major Breakthroughs in Spinal Biologics, Disc Regeneration on the Horizon: 3 Key Thoughts from Dr. William Watters FeaturedJanuary 16th, 2018
  • Drs. Ali Rezai, Marco Rodriguez & More: 5 Spine, Neurosurgeons Making Headlines Featured
    Drs. Ali Rezai, Marco Rodriguez & More: 5 Spine, Neurosurgeons Making Headlines FeaturedOctober 6th, 2017
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Professional Memberships

Hospital Affiliations

Industry Relationships

  • Scientific Advisory Board, Palladian Healthcare2014 - Present
  • Consultant, Intrinsic Medical DevicesDisclosure: None2013 - Present
  • Consultant, StrykerCervical PlateDisclosure: Royalty Payments2009 - 2011

Dr. William Watters, Dr. William Watters, MD, Dr. W Watters, Dr. William Charles Watters