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William Watters III, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Houston, TX

WilliamCharlesWattersIIIMD,MMS, MS(He/Him)

Orthopaedic Surgery Houston, TX

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Past President, North American Spine Society; Clinical Professor Orthopedics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, Attending in the Departement of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Michale E. DeBakey Houston VA Hospital

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  • Office

    2929 Westheimer Road
    Apt. 604
    Houston, TX 77098
    Phone+1 713-302-6546
    Fax+1 713-965-0961

Summary

  • Dr. William Watters III, an Orthopaedic Surgeon based in Houston, TX with a subspecialty in Orthopedic Spine Surgery, has decades of abundant experience in his field. He holds an MD from Harvard Medical School and completed various residencies at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Dr. Watters' employment history includes notable positions such as Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Attending Surgeon at Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Medical Director at the Texas Mutual Insurance Company. Dr. Watters is a Past-president of the North American Spine Society and the Texas Spine Society. He is an expert in the development of Evidence-based Diagnostic and Treatments guidelines for spinal care.



    He has produced over 100 peer-reviewed publications, notably in The Spine Journal, and received numerous awards for his work, including the "America’s Top Orthopedic Surgeons" and "Top Doctor" from Castle Connolly. He specializes in conditions and trauma of the adult spine and is experienced in minimally invasive surgery.

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

  • TX State Medical License
    TX State Medical License 1982 - 2026
  • NJ State Medical License
    NJ State Medical License 1980 - 1986
  • 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

  • Top 5% for citations in the medical literture among Docximity Community Doximity, 2023-2024
  • America's Most Honored Professionals American Registry, 2021-2024
  • Houston Top Doctor 2008-2022
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • The Global Spine Care Initiative: Care Pathway for People with Spine-Related Concerns  
    Michael Modic, William 3rd Watters, Scott Haldeman, David Borenstein, 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
  • The Global Spine Care Initiative: Model of Care and Implementation  
    Michael Modic, Matthew Smuck, David Borenstein, William 3rd Watters, Scott Haldeman, European spine journal
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Books/Book Chapters

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

Industry Relationships

  • Scientific Advisory Board, TurningPoint HealthcareAdvisor on efficient and safe utilization of healthcare policiesDisclosure: None2023 - Present
  • Consultant, OptumConsultant in Evidence Based MedicineDisclosure: None2019 - Present
  • Consultant, Intrinsic Medical DevicesDisclosure: None2013 - Present
  • Scientific Advisory Board, Palladian Healthcare2014 - 2019
  • Consultant, StrykerCervical PlateDisclosure: Royalty Payments2009 - 2011