Accepting new patients

Donald A. Ross, M.D.

Accepting new patients

  • Professor of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine

Specialty

  • Neurological Surgery

Clinical focus

  • Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Spine

Locations and contact

I see patients at
Tall building with the ariel tram to its left
Center for Health & Healing, Building 1
503-494-8311
Read clinic details

About me

A fellowship-trained surgeon, Dr. Ross specializes in all aspects of general neurosurgery including minimally invasive spine surgery, neuro-oncology and brain tumors and Stereotactic radiosurgery.

Dr. Ross has adopted a minimally invasive approach, tailoring treatments to each patient individually rather than recommending a one size fits all approach. He uses careful neurologic examinations, diagnostic nerve blocks, careful analysis of imaging, and other modalities to offer the least invasive solutions for patients’ symptoms. He tries to avoid spinal fusion procedures if acceptable alternatives are available. He has performed over 2000 tubular access spinal surgeries, usually through incisions less than one inch long, allowing outpatient procedures in many cases and with rapid return to work or other activities for many patients.

Dr. Ross joined OHSU from private practice in Medford, Oregon in January 2011. He has previously worked as a professor of surgery, neurosurgery, and otolaryngology at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, reading, playing in rock bands, and volunteering.

Languages spoken

  • English

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 1983, Indiana University School of Medicine

  • Residency

    • Department of Neurological Surgery, University California at San Francisco, 1989

  • Fellowship

    • Cranial base surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1990

  • Certifications

    • Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery, 1992
Read faculty profile

Insurance

Before scheduling an appointment

  1. Check your network. If you have health insurance,  call your company to find out if the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is part of your network.
  2. Ask what you will pay. Your insurance company can tell you what your costs are likely to be.

If you schedule an appointment and your health insurance does not include OHSU Health, you may have to pay more than if you go to a provider in your insurance network. 

Visit our billing and insurance page for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.9 out of 5 (72 Ratings, 33 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Dr Ross was very thorough and compassionate. He is very willing to work with me to find cause and solution to my issues .

  2. Excellent

  3. Personable, kind and thorough.

  4. Extremely patient and generous with his time. My wife and I have a much deeper understanding of my back problem and possible ways forward. Also very prompt, for such a busy practice we were surprised at how quickly we were roomed and seen by the doctor.

  5. Dr. Ross was highly communicative conclusive, helpful, positive easy to understand. I felt very confident with his Ability to translate, technical information, and give advice for future treatment

  6. Dr. Ross was informed and truly interested in my problems. He is taking the time to identify the true extent of my back pain.

  7. Dr. Ross is an exceptionally skilled and compassionate neurosurgeon who takes the time to explain every detail with clarity and care. His expertise, empathy, and dedication made me feel fully supported and confident throughout the entire process.

  8. Dr. Ross is an excellent surgeon. He listens attentively, documents clearly what he has heard and his actions.

  9. Best there is at his craft.

  10. Dr Donald Ross is amazing! He is extremely knowledgable. He is never in a rush and takes the time to go over the MRI with you and answers all your questions. He is not in a rush to operate unless is is clinically neccessary.

  11. Dr. Ross took all the time necessary to make me understand what procedures would be available to help resolve my medical problems.

  12. Dr Ross as usual was very thorough and concerned about a good outcome. His suggestions and prescription have been very helpful and I'm already feeling better

  13. Dr. Ross is focused on my condition and openly discussed progress and recommendations for next steps.

  14. Great patient care, on time , very patient

  15. Dr. Ross is thorough, explains things clearly, listens, and seems highly competent.

  16. Dr Ross is always pleasant, easy to discuss issues with and easy to understand.

  17. Always very professional and quality.

  18. Not only is Dr Ross an excellent doctor, but he's very caring and he really listens. That is not always the case with doctors even at OHSU.

  19. Dr Ross always listens to my concerns, answers my questions thoroughly, and relays his treatment plan clearly. He is open to adapting his plan to my specific needs and expresses empathy and patience. I am grateful to have him on my team!

  20. Dr. ROSS is the best. I really like his bedside manner. He's a kind , and very good at what he does. Explained Mri. And procedures he needs to see me again

  21. Dr Ross1 Superb!

  22. Dr Ross is thorough, empathetic and easy to communicate with. He is of Irish descent, certainly a plus.

  23. Wonderful caring and extremely knowledgeable

  24. Very clear communication and empathetic bedside manner

  25. Dr Ross is always very thorough

  26. In my experience, Dr Ross is exceptional in that he is an excellent surgeon and a very caring and exceptional communicator

  27. Dr. Ross was well-prepared for our appointment. He asked questions and listened to my responses. He spent as much time as I needed in reviewing and explaining my options for the next step in my health care. Dr. Ross is knowledgeable and caring.

  28. Dr Ross patiently answered all my questions and addressed all my concerns. He spent ample time with me and I did not feel rushed during the visit. He was empathetic to my emotional state and made me feel at ease, empowering me to carefully consider surgery and make the decision when I feel ready to do so.

  29. Patience with questioning & answers, very thorough. Excellent doctor!

  30. Dr Ross is great!