I am an orthopaedic oncologist specializing in treatment of musculoskeletal tumor--lumps and bumps that may or may not be cancerous in the bones, muscle and other soft tissues of the body. I treat people from the very young to the most mature, providing the compassion and understanding I feel each patient deserves, as well as including patients and their families at every stage of decision-making.

I also maintain my roots as a general orthopedist by performing partial and total joint replacement surgery. I have a particular interest in limb-sparing surgery and preservation of function.

I perform humanitarian work in locations around the world. Each year, I travel to Thailand to the Barefoot Doctors School, where I train health workers from Myanmar to provide care to people in their villages. In the past, I have travelled to West Bengal, India, to perform hand surgery, and I assisted my father in building a church in Costa Rica.

Certified Specialties

Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Dr. C. McCollister Evarts Professorship in Orthopaedics - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Associate Professor - Cancer Center - Joint

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Musculoskeletal Oncology, Mayo Foundation Rochester. 2016 - 2017

Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center. 2008 - 2012

Internship, Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center. 2007 - 2008

Education

MD | Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis. 2007

Awards

Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2015

First Place - Case Report Posters. 2014

Resident Leadership Forum. 2012

National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference. 2011

Summa Cum Laude. 2003

Health Professions Scholarship Program. 2003 - 2007

Phi Society. 2002

Golden Key International Honor Society. 2002 - 2003

Junior Marshall. 2001 - 2002

NCAA Division I Academic All-American. 2000 - 2002

Presidential Scholarship. 1999 - 2003

Athletic Scholarship, Field Hockey. 1999 - 2003

Research

I am involved in clinical research in the fields of orthopedic surgery and treatment for bone and soft tissue sarcoma. Examples of my work include analyzing orthopaedic infections and treatment of fractures. In addition to authoring numerous journal articles and contributing to textbooks, I am the r...

Publications

Journal Articles

Is Information About Musculoskeletal Malignancies From Large Language Models or Web Resources at a Suitable Reading Level for Patients?

Guirguis PG, Youssef MP, Punreddy A, Botros M, Raiford M, McDowell S

Clinical orthopaedics and related research.. 2024 September 25 Epub 09/25/2024.

Cytologic analysis of a glomus tumor in the left second toe: Case report.

Hwang J, McDowell S, Cole B, Huber A, Reyes MCD

Diagnostic cytopathology.. 2022 June 50 (6):E170-E173. Epub 02/09/2022.

Clinical utilization of species-specific immunoassays for identification of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in orthopedic infections.

Sulovari A, Ninomiya MJ, Beck CA, Ricciardi BF, Ketonis C, Mesfin A, Kaplan NB, Soin SP, McDowell SM, Mahmood B, Daiss JL, Schwarz EM, Oh I

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2021 October 39 (10):2141-2150. Epub 12/15/2020.

The properties of inducible membranes in animals and humans

Bethel, Monique; McDowell, Susan; Chitteti, Brahmananda; Cheng, Ying-Hua; Mullis, Brian H.; Ertl, Janos P.; Chu, Tien-Min G.; Kacena, Melissa A.; Anglen, Jeffrey O.;.

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics. 2017; 9(3): 189-200.

Modified Ollier transtrochanteric approach for the treatment of acetabular fractures

McDowell, S.; Mullis, B.; Knight, B. S.; Dahners, L. E.;.

Orthopedics. 2012; 35(2): e132-6.

An Improved Synthetic Method for Diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine and the Properties and Structure of its Borane Adduct

Craft D; Arcella S; McDowell S; Storhoff B; et al.

Phosphorus, Sulfur Silicon Relat. Elem. 2004; 179(7): 1365-1371.

Books

Prevention and Management of Common Fracture Complications (2012)

Chapter: Radial and Ulnar Shaft, Monteggia, and Galeazzi Fractures

Authors: Susan McDowell, Brian Mullis

Publisher: SLACK, Inc. 2012

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.9

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.8

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.8

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.8

Patient Comments

Dr was very respectful and considerate. I appreciated her responsiveness

Aug 25, 2024

We had discussed my DXA BMD results. [...] We had a nice conversation; no treatment changes required.

May 05, 2024

5.0

Physician explained thoroughly risk the factors and did not encourage a hasty decision about surgery. She answered my questions and concerns.

Feb 05, 2024

5.0

Dr. McDowell is amazing, had genuine care for her patients.

Jan 18, 2024

5.0

She was very thorough & explained things so it was easy to understand.

Oct 19, 2023

3.0

[...] Dr. McDowell is good but she also was in a hurry that day

Sep 24, 2023

Dr. McDowell was excellent!

Aug 26, 2023

5.0

Dr. McDowell answered all my concerns, was very informative on my options, discussed the pros and cons of the each option. And I felt very comfortable with her and her soon to be surgeon.

Aug 10, 2023

5.0

Very pleased with the care I receive from Dr. Susan McDowell

Jun 27, 2023

First meeting -excellent

Jun 03, 2023

5.0

Very good.

May 16, 2023

Liked my care provider !

May 06, 2023

5.0

Dr. McDowell was extremely helpful and careful in explaining my exrays and options for care.

Apr 21, 2023

Dr. McDowell has a lovely way of sharing her high level expertise and remembering she has a human being in front of her with concerns and worry about the uncertain future. I very much appreciate her style of patient care, especially since I had not seen her since Nov 2022, but she clearly reminded herself about my condition and remembered details about my in person visit with her months ago.

Apr 19, 2023

4.2

This is the first time I have met Dr. McDowell. I found her to be very professinal at all times and knew what she was talking about about my health.

Mar 21, 2023

5.0

Dr. McDowell is by far the best. I was referred to her, she is highly recommended.

Feb 03, 2023

4.6

Dr. Mcdowell and staffare the best you can get, love them all

Jan 19, 2023

5.0

Dr. McDowell is the best!!!

Dec 17, 2022

5.0

Absolutely recommend

Dec 13, 2022

5.0

Love that Dr. McDowell.

Nov 30, 2022

5.0

Excellent advise & knowledge for Dr. Mcdowell.

Nov 17, 2022

5.0

I am very fortunate to have Dr Susan McDowell as my surgeon for my right knee replacement.

Nov 09, 2022

Dr McDowell was very understanding of my overall health and circumstances and took this into consideration with her recommendations. Her wholistic approach was appreciated.

Oct 22, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mcdowell is the best and most caring Doctor and surgeon I have had to care for me in my 84 years my

Oct 04, 2022

5.0

I cannot say enough positive things about Dr. McDowell. She was worth all the scheduling hassle we had! I'm thankful she decided to see me.

Oct 02, 2022

1.0

McDowell was very rude, condescending, acted annoyed by meeting with me, I had to pry info out of her, very unprofessional and very unwilling to offer info on my condition.

Aug 15, 2022

5.0

Dr Mcdowell is the best doctor I could have found for my problems, you rock Dr. Mcdowell

Aug 10, 2022

5.0

I left the office with relief knowing I was in excellent hands.

May 20, 2022

Very professional

Mar 30, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mcdowell is a very Good Doctor to be treated by

Mar 15, 2022