Meet Your Surgeon
James MacKenzie, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon · FAAOS · Fellowship-Trained in Sports Medicine · Shoulder, Knee & Hip Replacement
From Arizona to Johns Hopkins and Back
Dr. James MacKenzie is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, and shoulder, knee, and hip replacement. He earned his medical degree at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and finished a sports medicine fellowship at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care (formerly UHZ Sports Medicine) in Miami, where he completed more than 600 procedures and served as an assistant team physician for the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat. After more than three years as an attending surgeon in South Florida, he returned to Arizona in 2026 to join Arizona Sports Medicine Center at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale.
Dr. MacKenzie is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and licensed in Arizona and Florida. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS) and a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, the Consortium of Orthopaedic Academic Traumatologists, and the American Medical Association. He is fluent in Spanish and welcomes Spanish-speaking patients and families.
Board Certified & FAAOS
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Fellowship Trained
Sports Medicine, Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, Miami
Johns Hopkins Trained
Orthopedic Surgery Residency, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Team Physician
Assistant, Miami Dolphins & Miami Heat; head team physician, St. Thomas University
Education
Training
2021 - 2022
Sports Medicine Fellowship
Baptist Health Orthopedic Care (formerly UHZ Sports Medicine), Miami, FL
2016 - 2021
Orthopedic Surgery Residency
The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Chief Resident for Wellness Programs
2016
Doctor of Medicine
University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix
2011
BS Physiology & BS Business Economics
University of Arizona, Tucson. Summa cum laude, both degrees
Team Coverage
Caring for Athletes at Every Level
- Assistant Team Physician, Miami Dolphins (NFL) and Miami Heat (NBA), 2021-2022
- Coverage for the Florida Panthers (NHL), Inter Miami CF (MLS), the NFL Combine, MLB spring training, and the Miami Marathon
- Head Team Physician, St. Thomas University; Assistant Team Physician for Barry University, Florida Memorial University, and Florida National University
- 36 high school programs across South Florida
Recognition
Honors & Awards
- Paul S. Lietman Global Travel Grant, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2018, 2019)
- Certificate of Distinction in Global Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine (2016)
- Certificate of Distinction in Community Service, University of Arizona College of Medicine (2016)
- Summa cum laude, University of Arizona (2011)
With the Miami Dolphins in London
On the sideline with the Miami Dolphins
Leadership & Teaching
Leadership & Affiliations
- Hospital affiliation: Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, Glendale, AZ
- Clinical Faculty, FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (2021-2022)
- Chief Resident for Medical Student and Resident Wellness, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Vice-Chair of Finance, House Staff Council, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Founding Resident, Global Orthopedics at Johns Hopkins
- President, Consortium of Orthopaedic Academic Traumatologists resident arm (2020-2021)
Philosophy
How He Practices
Dr. MacKenzie is known for a patient-first approach and for finding the least invasive solution that will help you reach your goals. Many of the patients he sees do not need surgery, and he will tell you so. When surgery is the right answer, his practice covers the full range: arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery, ACL reconstruction, fracture care, and manual and robotic hip, knee, and shoulder replacement, including total and reverse shoulder replacement with the InSet® system, which is designed to preserve bone. That continuum matters: the recommendation you get is driven by what your joint needs, not by what the practice happens to offer. He explains what he sees on your imaging in plain language, answers your questions, and makes the decision with you.
Beyond the Clinic
Global Health and Community
Dr. MacKenzie is passionate about global orthopedic health and has provided care to patients in underserved communities in Nepal, Kenya, Bangladesh, Peru, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. He was a founding member of the Global Orthopedics program at Johns Hopkins and led the resident arm of a national consortium of orthopedic trauma programs. Having earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Arizona, he is glad to be back in the Valley caring for the community where his career began.
Global Orthopedic Care
Caring for Patients Around the World
From the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation in Dhaka to AIC Kijabe and CURE hospitals in Kenya, Dr. MacKenzie has trained and cared for patients alongside orthopedic teams in communities with limited access to surgical care.
In the operating room, Dhaka, Bangladesh
With the orthopedic team, Dhaka
With NITOR faculty, Dhaka
Orthopedic teaching session, Kenya
NITOR, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mount Longonot, Kenya
Research
Research & Publications
Dr. MacKenzie’s peer-reviewed research has appeared in journals including Current Orthopaedic Practice, the Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances, JBJS Open Access, Joints, and the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, on topics including ulnar collateral ligament repair, driving after orthopedic surgery, and global orthopedic care. He has also presented research on return to play after rotator cuff surgery in professional athletes. Selected publications:
- MacKenzie JS, Osbahr D. Repair of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament: A Review of Current Trends and Outcomes. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 2022;33(4).
- MacKenzie JS, Suresh K, Margalit A, Shafiq B, Zirkle L, Ficke J. Rate of Tibiotalocalcaneal Fusion Using the SIGN Intramedullary Nail in Developing Countries. Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances. 2022.
- Sabharwal S, MacKenzie JS, Sterling RS, Ficke J, LaPorte DM. Left-Handedness Among Orthopaedic Surgeons and Trainees. JBJS Open Access. 2020.
- MacKenzie JS, Bitzer AM, Familiari F, Papalia R, McFarland EG. Driving after upper- and lower-extremity orthopedic surgery. Joints. 2019.
- MacKenzie JS, Banskota B, Sirisreetreerux N, Shafiq B, Hasenboehler EA. A review of the epidemiology and treatment of orthopaedic injuries after earthquakes in developing countries. World Journal of Emergency Surgery. 2017;12(9).
- Yagnik G, Vargas LA, Uribe JW, Zvijac JE, MacKenzie JS. Return to Play After Arthroscopic Management of Rotator Cuff Tears in Professional Contact Athletes. Florida Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting, 2022.
Training & Team Physician Experience
Logos are trademarks of their respective owners and reflect Dr. MacKenzie’s training and team coverage. No endorsement is implied.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. MacKenzie
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.