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Dr. Derek Ward is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction of the knee joint. He sees patients with all types of degenerative disease of the knee including osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis), post-traumatic arthritis and avascular necrosis. He is an expert in knee replacement in addition to specializing in revision surgery treating patients with complications from previous joint replacements.

Ward takes a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and management of knee pain, incorporating the latest advancements in perioperative pain management, surgical reconstruction, and recovery including robotic surgery, partial knee replacement and complex revision surgery.

Ward completed his undergraduate training at Williams College and then spent several years working in Washington D.C. in health care policy and in Africa working in global health. He completed his medical training at UCSF in 2010 where he spent an extra year studying health care policy. He remained at UCSF to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery in 2015 followed by a fellowship in adult reconstruction at the prestigious Rothman Institute in Philadelphia. He joined the UCSF faculty in 2016.

Ward has won multiple awards for patient care, teaching, and research including the James A. Rand Award from the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and the John Charnley Award from the Hip Society, as well as the Maxine Papadakis Award for Professionalism and Respect and the James Morris Award for Physician Compassion.

Ward is also affiliate faculty at the UCSF Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. His research interests include health care policy and cost effectiveness, perioperative risk assessment and optimization, medical education, and revision hip and knee replacement. He is a fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Orthopedic Association, and reviews research for several major journals.

Ward serves in multiple leadership roles at UCSF including as the executive medical director for the UCSF-MarinHealth Orthopedic Department at MarinHealth Medical Center and as the orthopedic medical director for the UCSF Hip Fracture Initiative. He is dedicated to educating the next generation of physicians and is actively involved in all levels of medical education. In addition, he is co-director of an annual continuing medication education course at UCSF, Arthroplasty for the Modern Surgeon: Hip, Knee and Health Innovation Technology.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2018

  • Fellowships

    Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2016

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2015

  • Internship

    UCSF, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2011

  • Degree

    University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, 2010

  • Languages

    English

Helping patients is an honor and a privilege. I approach my career as a mission to improve their quality of life.

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    430 Ratings
    About our process
    Jun 28, 2025
    Dr Ward was thorough in describing my condition and the proposed treatment. He was also very kind and respectful, listened and responded very well to my questions, and provided helpful information about the surgery and recovery process. The only thing that wasn't well explained (prior to seeing this provider) was where I needed to go for imaging. I had to make several calls to find out they had a radiology department right on the same floor as my doctor's appointment.
    Jun 28, 2025
    He did not show any real concern until I began to cry.
    Jun 28, 2025
    A Top class Dr
    Jun 08, 2025
    Very professional
    Jun 07, 2025
    Dr. Ward was very open about my getting a second opinion.
    Jun 06, 2025
    All around very pleased with Dr. Ward
    Jun 06, 2025
    The doctor was phenomenal
    May 30, 2025
    As a nurse, raised and educated, in the Bay Area I have encountered many physicians. Dr. Ward is one of the best.
    May 24, 2025
    Excellent care in every aspect of the visit.
    May 18, 2025
    A great experience and result
    May 16, 2025
    Dr. Ward is one of the best orthopedic surgeon that I've ever met. He took his time to answer to all my question and explain everything. Besides that he is very professional he is also very personal listening to all my concerns and with calm made me feel comfortable. I am looking forward to have my knee replacement with Dr. Ward
    May 16, 2025
    Dr was very good with communicating and making a plan.
    Apr 25, 2025
    I wholeheartedly encourage anyone thinking of knee replacement surgery to use Dr Ward. He is highly skilled, caring and kind. He's the best.
    Apr 20, 2025
    Dr Ward is an excellent doctor and human being. He was very patient and caring.
    Apr 19, 2025
    I'm delighted that Dr. Derek Ward will be doing my knee replacement surgery.
    Mar 22, 2025
    Very good experience
    Mar 22, 2025
    Dr. Ward is extraordinary.
    Mar 22, 2025
    Excellent visit from beginning to end. I've had a number of medical issues and seen quite a few providers in different health systems, and I was impressed with UCSF from start to finish.
    Mar 08, 2025
    I was very lucky to get Dr. Ward for my surgeon.
    Mar 03, 2025
    Excellent
    Mar 01, 2025
    The care provider was great and really helped to explain my next steps. He was very thorough and easy to talk to.
    Mar 01, 2025
    From start to 1 year post opp Dr Ward and his team have provided excellent service and were very communicative about all aspects of my procedure .
    Feb 22, 2025
    I felt heard and appreciated the future treatment options
    Feb 18, 2025
    Very positive experience with everyone at UCSF.
    Feb 03, 2025
    Dr Ward is professional and Frank about my need to think clearly about having a knee operation of the closing of the window of op for having a suessful recovery after knee replacement.
    Jan 25, 2025
    It's wonderful to have a physician who really listens and takes his time.
    Jan 23, 2025
    Dr. Ward is the most personable orthopedic surgeon I've ever talked to or had the pleasure of having as my surgeon.
    Jan 20, 2025
    Dr Ward and his staff has been outstanding in their efforts to help me. I really appreciate and trust their care and recommendations.
    Jan 18, 2025
    First meeting with Dr Ward and he was terrific in every way.
    Jan 18, 2025
    Dr. Ward and his entire team were a pleasure to meet and work with. They all showed extraordinary care for my pain level and comfort.
    Jan 18, 2025
    This is my second meeting with a surgeon about my knee. Dr. Ward took time to show me the images of my knee both in x-rays and in the MRI. He pointed out problems that had not been previously shown to me indicating the need for surgery. He fully explained the procedure and recovery along with the risks. I feel confident in his skill and plan to proceed with the operation.
    Jan 18, 2025
    Dr ward was wonderful.
    Jan 18, 2025
    I can not give Dr. Ward and his PA enough praises - both so professional, personable, and caring.
    Dec 19, 2024
    Dr. Ward, Sonja Goldberg-PA, are EXCELLENT practitioners and superb people.
    Dec 14, 2024
    I will tell anybody about Dr Ward and his staff at UCSF they're great a top notch
    Nov 23, 2024
    Dr Ward is always reassuring analytical and caring
    Nov 18, 2024
    Dr Ward is just wonderful. He is caring, careful, obviously very skilled (this is my second surgery with him) and is very much interested in his patients and their successful outcome. It's very clear that he is interested in his patients concerns, and their successful result. He explains the procedure so a layman can understand, and it increases your confindance in the procedure and encourages a successful outcome. I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else.
    Oct 26, 2024
    He is a great surgeon who runs a first class service!
    Sep 29, 2024
    Dr. Ward is excellent. He took his time listen to my concerns and his answered to all my questions very accurate and knowledgeable . He Is friendly and did everything to make me feel comfortable
    Sep 28, 2024
    Very good experience
    Sep 28, 2024
    I recommend Dr. Ward often
    Sep 16, 2024
    Very happy with my experience.
    Sep 14, 2024
    Excellent experience all around!
    Sep 07, 2024
    Both Dr. Ward and Sonja Goldberg the PA were attentive, engaged and gave my husband and I answers to all our questions
    Sep 07, 2024
    Dr Ward is personable, friendly, very easy to talk to
    Aug 12, 2024
    Dr Ward is a great doctor.
    Aug 12, 2024
    The PA and the MD both were very engaged, attentive, thorough, and expalined things well
    Aug 11, 2024
    Dr Ward is a clinically sound exceptional Orthopedist
    Aug 04, 2024
    Dr. Ward is one of the best practitioners in my life ... He is a model for all new doctors
    Jul 27, 2024
    Dr Ward is a very caring physician. He has a friendly demeanor and engaging personality
    Jul 20, 2024
    Dr. Ward took as much time as I needed, listened attentively to me, and made some very appropriate suggestions, for which I am grateful.
    Jul 20, 2024
    Dr Ward is a very caring compassionate person
    Jul 01, 2024
    Dr. Ward is wonderful.
    Jun 15, 2024
    Best doctor ever!!
    Jun 03, 2024
    Very good experience
    Jun 02, 2024
    Dr Ward does a wonderful jobHe is always nice ad helpful in all respects
    Jun 02, 2024
    I was very happy that Dr. Ward listened closely and that we were on the same page as to my treatment.
    Jun 01, 2024
    Dr. Ward and Sonja Goldberg are excellent clinicians and really nice people. I have already recommended them, and UCSF, to my friends.
    May 12, 2024
    Exceptional
    May 11, 2024
    I love this office totally. Will never hesitate to recommend to my friends and families.
    May 11, 2024
    Great experience Great hospital
    May 04, 2024
    I am amazed at how calm and clear and kind Dr Ward was, especially since he was behind on his schedule
    May 04, 2024
    Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a greater team. I'm very happy and everyone involved showed their support and professionalism.
    Apr 27, 2024
    Dr Ward has a true Grasp on the entire continuum of the Patient care center experience which yields true benefits for the Patient
    Apr 06, 2024
    Dr. Ward IS THE BEST ORTHO provider UCSF will ever have!!!!
    Apr 01, 2024
    I was given an excellent handout with pictures.
    Apr 01, 2024
    Dr Ward made me feel very comfortable and I feel confident in his care.
    Mar 30, 2024
    Both Dr Ward and his resident physician were very helpful with my follow-up post surgery appointment. I had a list of questions about post surgery activity, exercises and pain management that were thoroughly answered as well as questions about future surgery on right hip. Never did I feel rushed during my appointment.
    Mar 23, 2024
    Very good experience
    Mar 12, 2024
    Dr Ward is great! He's very caring, encouraging and sincere.
    Mar 11, 2024
    Excellente
    Dec 25, 2023
    Dr. Ward is a miracle worker. He gave me my life back.
    Dec 23, 2023
    Dr. Ward is fantastic!
    Dec 10, 2023
    Dr ward is quite good
    Dec 09, 2023
    Dr. Ward is a superb surgeon and a fine human being. It seems like he is overworked.
    Dec 09, 2023
    Great
    Nov 23, 2023
    Recommend Dr Ward often.
    Nov 18, 2023
    Very good is insufficient to describe Dr. Ward ( and his team). Superb is a better word
    Nov 18, 2023
    I'm so impressed with how well all my questions and concerns were answered and in language that I can understand.
    Nov 18, 2023
    He was great!
    Nov 18, 2023
    I will definitely recommend Dr. Derek Wart to my friends and family.
    Nov 04, 2023
    Dr Ward is an excellent provider. He suggested if I ever have issues to my other joints that were performed by other surgeon other hospitals, he can look into it as well, not just the left knee that he replaced. I like that.
    Oct 29, 2023
    Dr. Ward and his assistants did everything wonderfully. There's not a single criticism I could make.
    Oct 23, 2023
    Dr. Ward went the extra mile to inform me of my options. I have total confidence in him.
    Oct 19, 2023
    Dr. Ward made me feel so good about my wanting to do a bilateral knee surgery. He listened and helped me make the decision. I made the right decision for me , and he helped make it happen.
    Oct 14, 2023
    Dr Ward explained the process of hip replacement surgery, as well as alternatives to my pain.
    Oct 14, 2023
    Very empathetic, clearly detailed options, made sure that I understood and responded thoughtfully to all questions and concerns.
    Oct 14, 2023
    Very friendly
    Sep 09, 2023
    This was my first time meeting Dr. Ward and his assistant. I was very impressed with his knowledge of post-polio and his compassionate directness and care.
    Sep 09, 2023
    Very pleased with Dr Ward and his team
    Sep 07, 2023
    Very impressed with his knowledge of orthopedic problems. His skill as a surgeon was Impressive. Our whole experience from being diagnosed to the surgery was a great experience. We were so happy that we were referred to Dr Ward and the UCSF system.
    Sep 04, 2023
    Love Dr. Ward!

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