Dr. Jonathan A. Forsberg

Dr. Jonathan A. Forsberg, MD, PhD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the care of children and adults with rare bone and soft tissue cancers, including soft tissue sarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. His special interests include improving quality of life for patients with metastatic bone disease and restoring function to those who undergo major limb amputations. He also treats noncancerous tumors of the bones and soft tissue, performing approximately 200 surgical procedures annually for both cancerous and noncancerous conditions. Dr. Forsberg completed his fellowship training in orthopaedic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and later earned a PhD in Applied Bioinformatics from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, reflecting his commitment to combining surgical expertise with rigorous scientific inquiry. His path to medicine was shaped by 32 years of active military service, beginning as a U.S. Marine infantryman before attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he studied chemistry and engineering. His interest in biomechanics and the engineering principles governing human movement made orthopaedic surgery a natural fit.

Dr. Forsberg's clinical and research career has been defined by a commitment to solving complex, individualized problems for patients facing difficult diagnoses. During his military residency, which coincided with a period of active combat, he and his colleagues advanced the field of limb-sparing surgery and redefined amputation as a reconstructive procedure enabling patients to return to active lifestyles. A pivotal encounter during residency, in which he observed an orthopaedic oncologist excise a sarcoma and reconstruct the shoulder blade and humerus to restore function, inspired his focus on oncologic surgery. He has since led multicenter clinical trials with the FDA, directed the Department of Defense's Osseointegration Program, and co-directs the International Bone Metastasis Registry alongside colleagues in Sweden. His team's work has helped standardize approaches to metastatic bone disease, develop new analytical methods, and design and patent unique surgical implants, including custom solutions tailored to individual patients' anatomical needs.

As a professor of orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Forsberg places great importance on teaching and mentoring the next generation of surgeon-scientists. He approaches each patient consultation with attentiveness and calm, taking care to thoroughly explain treatment options and ensure that no question goes unanswered. His philosophy of care is deeply rooted in the values instilled by his father, a veterinarian who modeled a life of service, dedication, and compassion, qualities Dr. Forsberg carries into every patient interaction. Outside of his clinical and academic work, he enjoys reading, cooking, golf, tennis, and occasional sailboat racing with friends and family.