Sports Medicine | Shoulder Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon Assistant Team Physician: New England Patriots; Harvard College Instructor in Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Evan O’Donnell is a Sports Medicine and Shoulder Orthopedic Surgeon. He is also a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. O’Donnell specializes in shoulder surgery and sports medicine, including arthroscopic and reconstructive surgeries of the shoulder. As a former college athlete and volunteer firefighter, he has extensive experience treating athletes at all ages and levels (including high school, collegiate, and professional), as well as occupational athletes in the emergency services.
Dr. O’Donnell completed his orthopedic residency training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He completed his fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School where he was an assistant team physician for the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, and New England Revolution.
Additionally, Dr. O’Donnell was named the first Richard Frisbie Fellow and worked closely with Harvard University’s student athletes, covering Harvard’s Football, Men’s & Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s Lacrosse, Rugby, and Wrestling teams.
Dr. O’Donnell earned his AB from Harvard College where he was co-captain of the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse Team and was awarded the Thomas T. Hoopes Prize for outstanding undergraduate research. He earned his MD from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society and was awarded the New York Orthopaedic Hospital Award for his academic orthopedic pursuits.
Academically, Dr. O’Donnell has authored numerous peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters and has presented nationally and internationally on the topics of shoulder surgery. He serves as a reviewer for the American Journal of Sports Medicine and is a former reviewer of the Hospital for Special Surgery Journal.
Sports Medicine Service Charles River Plaza 175 Cambridge St., 4th Floor Boston, MA02114 Phone: 617-643-6351
Sports Medicine at Mass General Waltham 52 Second Ave. 3rd Floor, Suite 3300 Waltham, MA02451 Phone: 617-643-6351
Medical Education
MD, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Residency, Hospital for Special Surgery
Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital
American Board Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
Aetna
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
Cigna
Commonwealth Care Alliance
Coventry
Fallon Health
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Humana
Maine Community Health Options
Mass General Brigham Health Plan
MassHealth
Medicaid CT
Medicaid ME
Medicaid RI
Medicare
Medicare ACO
Multiplan
Senior Whole Health
TriCare
Tufts Health Plan
United Health Care
Wellpoint
WellSense
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Research
Dr. O’Donnell’s academic interests are of shoulder preservation, biological optimization, and reparative and reconstructive surgeries. He has published on the medical comorbidities that affect rotator cuff repair, the timing of rotator cuff repair, the outcomes of total shoulder replacements, and shoulder associated health care cost analyses.
Publications
Selected Publications:
O'Donnell EA, Fu MC, White AE, et al. The Effect of Patient Characteristics and Comorbidities on the Rate of Revision Rotator Cuff Repair. Arthroscopy. 2020;36(9):2380-2388. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2020.05.022.
Figgie MP, Kahn B, O'Donnell EA. Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Open Orthop J. 2020;14:82-87. doi:10.2174/1874325002014010082
Anakwenze OA, O’Donnell EA, Jobin CM, Levine WN, Ahmad CS. Medical Complications and Outcomes after Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Nationwide Analysis. Am J Orthop. 2019. Oct;47(10). Doi: 10.12788/ajo.2019.0086
Nwachukwu BU, O’Donnell EA, McLawhorn AS, Cross MB. Episode of Care Payments in Total Joint Arthroplasty and Cost Minimization Strategies. HSS J. 2016 Feb;12(1):91-3. doi: 10.1007/s11420-015-9460-x. Epub 2015 Sep 2.PMID: 26855635
Anakwenze OA, Kwon D, O'Donnell E, Levine WN, Ahmad CS. Surgical treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow. Arthroscopy. 2014 Jul;30(7):866-71. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2014.02.029. Epub 2014 Apr 14. PMID: 24731385.
Reviews: Comments and Ratings
4.9out of 5(281 Ratings, 143 Comments)
April 2025
Dr. O'Donnell was great. He explained everything prior to my arm and shoulder surgery. During the 15 months since surgery he still took time to explain and answer all of my concerns and questions.
April 2025
I was hesitant to see another ortho as I had Dr [redacted] and didn't think anyone would ever be better. Dr O'donnell far exceeded my expectations. He was as friendly, easy going, humble and brilliant as Dr [redacted]
April 2025
Dr. O'Donnell is FANTASTIC!!!! THE BEST EVER!
March 2025
Dr. O'Donnell is a phenomenal human being. I am absolutely pleased that I got to be one of his patients.
March 2025
Dr. O'donnell is an excellent doctor. I wouldn't go to anyone else. His assistant, [redacted], is right on top of everything. They work well together and I'm very happy with them. Thank you.
March 2025
Very personable and easy to talk to. Not rushed
March 2025
Dr O'Donnell was very friendly and welcoming for our first appointment. He did a great job asking me about my condition and explaining options and approaches for treatment.
March 2025
Dr O'Donnell always takes time to listen to concerns and updates. He provides his opinions based on experience and your individual needs so you always feel treated with respect and thoughtfully. Dr O'Donnell always cheerful and seems to really care about his patients and his organization.
March 2025
Dr. O'Donnell is a fantastic doctor. I would/have recommend/ed him to family and friends. He is very polite and listens to all my concerns. He goes above and beyond to help his patients.
March 2025
Yes, I thought the provider was excellent and I appreciated the experience of talking to the doctor as well as to the medical assistant whom I saw initially. And thank you very much.
Boston Red Sox team physicians and Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine providers Peter Asnis, MD and Miho J. Tanaka, MD, PhD, recently visited JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida for spring training.
Dr. O'Donnell was great. He explained everything prior to my arm and shoulder surgery. During the 15 months since surgery he still took time to explain and answer all of my concerns and questions.
I was hesitant to see another ortho as I had Dr [redacted] and didn't think anyone would ever be better. Dr O'donnell far exceeded my expectations. He was as friendly, easy going, humble and brilliant as Dr [redacted]
Dr. O'Donnell is FANTASTIC!!!! THE BEST EVER!
Dr. O'Donnell is a phenomenal human being. I am absolutely pleased that I got to be one of his patients.
Dr. O'donnell is an excellent doctor. I wouldn't go to anyone else. His assistant, [redacted], is right on top of everything. They work well together and I'm very happy with them. Thank you.
Very personable and easy to talk to. Not rushed
Dr O'Donnell was very friendly and welcoming for our first appointment. He did a great job asking me about my condition and explaining options and approaches for treatment.
Dr O'Donnell always takes time to listen to concerns and updates. He provides his opinions based on experience and your individual needs so you always feel treated with respect and thoughtfully. Dr O'Donnell always cheerful and seems to really care about his patients and his organization.
Dr. O'Donnell is a fantastic doctor. I would/have recommend/ed him to family and friends. He is very polite and listens to all my concerns. He goes above and beyond to help his patients.
Yes, I thought the provider was excellent and I appreciated the experience of talking to the doctor as well as to the medical assistant whom I saw initially. And thank you very much.