Orthopaedic Surgeon William Stetson Earns 11th Castle Connolly Top Doctor Recognition
TL;DR
Dr. William Stetson's 11th Top Doctor recognition offers patients a competitive advantage by accessing an elite surgeon trusted by Team USA and top medical institutions.
Dr. Stetson's methodical approach combines arthroscopic techniques with traditional surgery, backed by 30 years of specialized training in sports medicine and orthopaedic trauma.
Through Operation Arthroscopy and SurgTime, Dr. Stetson expands surgical access globally while providing personalized care that improves patient outcomes and medical education.
Dr. Stetson serves as Team USA volleyball doctor while pioneering telesurgery platforms and maintaining a 25-year teaching career alongside his clinical practice.
Found this article helpful?
Share it with your network and spread the knowledge!

Orthopaedic surgeon William B. Stetson, MD, has received his 11th Castle Connolly Top Doctor designation, being selected as a 2025 honoree for his expertise in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery. This repeated recognition matters because Castle Connolly selects only about 7 percent of licensed U.S. physicians annually for this prestigious award, with selections made through peer nominations and rigorous review by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team at castleconnolly.com.
Dr. Stetson co-founded Stetson Lee Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Burbank in 2005 and has been in private practice since 1995, specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy, and surgical treatment of orthopaedic trauma for patients of all ages. His clinical significance lies in his expertise performing arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery for complex shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle injuries, including rotator-cuff repair, meniscus procedures, ACL reconstruction, and treatment of shoulder dislocations and arthritis. He performs most surgeries minimally invasively while maintaining traditional open surgery capabilities when appropriate.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Stetson's impact extends to medical education and global health access. He serves as an adjunct clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine with over 25 years of teaching experience. His founding of Operation Arthroscopy demonstrates commitment to bringing orthopaedic surgery to underserved populations, while SurgTime, his telesurgery platform, expands real-time surgical education access globally. These initiatives highlight how recognized medical leaders can drive innovation beyond direct patient care.
Dr. Stetson's role as team doctor for Olympics Team USA men's and women's indoor volleyball teams underscores the trust placed in his sports medicine expertise at elite athletic levels. His certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery with subspecialty certification in orthopaedic sports medicine, along with fellowships in both the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Arthroscopy Association of North America, validates his professional standing. The consistency of his recognition—including previous honors like the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame induction, and repeated appearances on Super Doctors lists—demonstrates sustained excellence that benefits both patients and the medical community.
For healthcare consumers, Dr. Stetson's repeated Top Doctor designations provide valuable guidance when seeking qualified orthopaedic care. The Castle Connolly selection process, which considers medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories without allowing doctors to pay for selection, offers reliable peer-vetted information. His affiliation with Adventist Health Glendale and co-founded Alameda Surgery Center further demonstrates his integration within quality healthcare systems. This ongoing recognition matters because it signals consistent clinical excellence that patients can trust when facing complex orthopaedic decisions.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release

