John Chao, M.D.
Foot & Ankle Surgery
BIO
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Dr. Chao graduated magna cum laude from Rice University in Houston with a B.A. in biochemistry and cell biology in 2003. While at Rice University, he played club lacrosse and was inducted into the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa. He completed medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern, where he received the T-35 institutional research grant and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. He stayed in Dallas to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital, one of the busiest trauma hospitals in the nation. He also spent three months in Norwich, England, training at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where he worked with international foot and ankle surgeons and developed a passion for soccer and international travel.
He also completed fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, under the direction of Drs. James Brodsky, John Early, and Christian Royer. Dr. Chao specializes in operative and non-operative care of the foot and ankle, and he performs minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, including bunions, bone spur removal, achilles tendon repair, and other reconstruction procedures. He also performs total ankle replacement, ankle arthroscopy, bunion/hammertoe correction, flatfoot reconstruction, tendon injuries in the foot and ankle, and complex reconstructive procedures. Dr. Chao will see patients 7 and older.
Dr. Chao is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has authored numerous scientific articles related to orthopedic surgery of the foot and ankle as well as bunion correction. He is a clinical professor at Atlanta Medical Center, where he has helped train foot and ankle specialists across the country. Dr. Chao has been invited to lecture at the local, regional, and national level, and has ongoing publications pending in the orthopedic literature. He also is a journal reviewer for Foot Ankle International, the most respected foot and ankle journal in the world. He also spends time on the sidelines covering football games for Forsyth County Schools.
He is the orthopaedic foot and ankle physician for:
- Forsyth Central High School
- West Forsyth High School
- Denmark High School
- Georgia Swarm Lacrosse
He has formerly been the orthopaedic foot and ankle physician for:
- Atlanta Silverbacks Soccer
- Georgia State University Athletic Department
To view Dr. Chao's CV click here.
Fellowship: Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX; foot and ankle surgery
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX; orthopedic surgery
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern, M.D., Dallas, TX | Alpha Omega Alpha
Undergraduate: Rice University, B.A., biochemistry and cell biology, 2003, Houston, TX | Magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa
ABOUT DR. CHAO
Dr. Chao is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has authored numerous scientific articles related to orthopedic surgery of the foot and ankle as well as bunion correction. He is a clinical professor at Atlanta Medical Center, where he has helped train foot and ankle specialists across the country. Dr. Chao has been invited to lecture at the local, regional, and national level, and has ongoing publications pending in the orthopedic literature. He also is a journal reviewer for Foot Ankle International, the most respected foot and ankle journal in the world. He also spends time on the sidelines covering football games for Forsyth County Schools.
He is the orthopaedic foot and ankle physician for:
- Forsyth Central High School
- West Forsyth High School
- Denmark High School
- Georgia Swarm Lacrosse
He has formerly been the orthopaedic foot and ankle physician for:
- Atlanta Silverbacks Soccer
- Georgia State University Athletic Department
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Medical Society (AOA)
- Georgia Orthopaedic Society (GOS)
- Atlanta Orthopaedic Society (AOS)
ACCOLADES & ACHIEVEMENTS
Named Top Doc by Atlanta Magazine
Chosen in 2020 as an Atlanta Magazine Top Doc. Atlanta Magazine, 63 years in print, identifies Top Docs based on research created by PRS (Professional Research Services). It is based on an online peer-review survey sent out to physicians within the Atlanta area, garnering thousands of votes honoring excellence in all fields of medicine. Inclusion in Atlanta Magazine Top Doctors is based solely upon one’s standing among peers.
Dr. Chao Named 2022 Top Doctor by Castle Connolly
Dr. John Chao has been chosen as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 2022. Castle Connolly identifies Top Doctors based on an extensive nomination process. The national physician-led research team reviews and rigorously screens all nominated physicians before selecting those regarded as the most outstanding healthcare providers in the country. Dr. Chao has been named as one of Atlanta’s top orthopedic surgeons from 2020-2022.
Dr. Chao Offers Innovative Foot & Ankle Treatments
PROstep Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery: This minimally invasive procedure causes less damage to the foot, leading to less pain and faster recovery.
MoveWrightTM Total Ankle Replacement: Relieves ankle arthritis pain while increasing mobility by replacing damaged cartilage so the joint can move and bend more like a healthy ankle.
MEDIA & RESOURCES
Patient Testimonial
Dr. John Chao’s Patient, Beverly Losman, Testimonial