Ryan (Carter) Cassidy, MD

Carter Cassidy, MD, is the chair of UK Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine and has a long history of delivering high-quality orthopaedic care to Central Kentucky.

He first came to UK HealthCare in 2000 as a resident in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine. He then stayed on at UK to complete his fellowship in orthopaedic spine surgery. Dr. Carter has been a member of UK’s faculty for nearly 20 years.

His other leadership positions include being the medical director at the UK HealthCare Good Samaritan Spine and Joint Clinic, as well as the Dyad partner and director for UK’s musculoskeletal strategy and intake team. Dr. Cassidy previously served as the director of the orthopaedic surgery residency program.

“We are an evolving department, full of people who work tirelessly every day to restore function to our patients,” Dr. Cassidy said. “As we go forward, I will work side-by-side with each member of our team to ensure that UK Orthopaedics remains the gold standard for Central and Eastern Kentucky. As long as our daily goal is providing the best patient care as well as creating a commitment to excellence in education and research, I feel that this will be an easy goal to achieve.”

Personal Statement

I am forever grateful to this program that trained and supported me as I have evolved in orthopaedic surgical care. UK Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine is a community that I could not be prouder to lead. This department is filled with talented providers. Our goal is to ensure that you are able to lead a fulfilling life once again.

I became a spine surgeon because I enjoy how challenging – and rewarding – it is. Healing spine injuries can be a long process, but I will be your partner each step of the way.

When you come to UK HealthCare, we will listen to your unique concerns and work with you to tailor a treatment plan that’s right for you and your goals. We take care of all orthopaedic problems, even the most complex cases, including bone cancers, spine issues and ligament injuries.

Faculty Rank