Brian Bear, MD, FAAOS

Dr. Brian J. Bear is a highly respected orthopedic surgeon with an extensive background in shoulder, elbow, hand, microvascular, traumatic, and reconstructive surgery. Originally from Winnetka, Illinois, Dr. Bear graduated cum laude from Northwestern University in 1987, where he served as president of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Continuing at Northwestern University School of Medicine, Dr. Bear earned his medical degree in 1991 as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

Dr. Bear pursued advanced orthopedic training at the renowned Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery—recognized as a leading orthopedic hospital in the United States. Further honing his expertise, Dr. Bear completed a specialized fellowship in elbow and hand surgery at the renowned Mayo Clinic before practicing medicine and serving as President at OrthoIllinois.

Since 2014, Dr. Bear has been consistently recognized as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor®, a testament to his dedication, expertise, and exceptional patient care. This honor is awarded through peer nomination and rigorous evaluation and reflects the trust and high regard of both peers and patients, as well as Dr. Bear’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical practice.

Beyond his OrthoIllinois clinical orthopedic hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder practice, Dr. Bear is deeply involved in medical education and research. He serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where he has been honored with the Golden Apple Teaching Award and the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Dr. Bear’s academic appointments include Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford and Assistant Clinical Professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where he actively trains medical students, family practice residents, and orthopedic surgery residents.  Dr. Bear is also a reviewer for the esteemed Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and holds faculty status at the Orthopedic Learning Center, instructing fellow surgeons in advanced techniques for hand, elbow, and shoulder procedures. He has delivered numerous lectures, published a variety of orthopedic articles, and remains committed to advancing the field through continued education and mentorship.

Dr. Bear is dedicated to providing compassionate, expert care, striving to offer each patient the highest quality treatment available. His goal is to help patients return to an active and pain-free lifestyle while furthering the standards of excellence in orthopedic medicine.

Assisted By

Clayton Lewis, PA-CKasondra LaMere, AGNP-C, R...