Accepting new patients

Donald A. Ross, M.D.

Accepting new patients

  • Professor of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine

Expertise

  • Neurological Surgery

Special focus

  • Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Spine

Locations and contact

I see patients at

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
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Insurance

Before scheduling your appointment, we recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any copayments, co–insurance, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with OHSU providers, your out of pocket liability may be higher. Visit the billing and insurance section of our site for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.9 out of 5 (100 Ratings, 51 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. The procedure was a surgery. Dr. Ross came in ahead of time and talked through the issues. We have communicated several times before. His explanations were clear and professional. I believe he checked in on me afterwards, but I was under the influence of the anesthesia and don't remember that part clearly.

  2. Dr. Ross was very knowledgeable and kind. He spent a good amount of time with me. He did a thorough neuro exam and together we viewed my MRI as he discussed in detail each of my c-spine segments and pathology.

  3. Dr Ross was punctual and familiar with the file

  4. Excellent and he cares about his patients and finding the root cause of problems.

  5. Dr Ross is very thorough in Explaining treatment plan and expectations.

  6. Dr. Ross

  7. Dr Ross took a great amount of time with me, asking questions, performing an exam and making a plan without feeling rushed. This meant so much as I have been on this journey of discomfort for quite a while. I feel very confident in his treatment recommendation and ability.

  8. Dr Ross is so kind and so educated and exceptionally intelligent. He is an expert in his medical profession. I feel sincerely blessed and have so much gratitude for him. And I am honored to be a patient of his and be in his mind to help me and to heal me and to take my pain away from me. He works with my entire team of specialist and I couldn't be happier than to be a patient of Dr Donald Ross.

  9. I feel very confident in the quality of care I'm receiving from Dr Ross.

  10. Dr Ross was a delight. Answering all questions and reviewing recent exams. His decision making for the next step in care included my input and wishes.It can't get better than this!!

  11. Dr. Ross is meticulous, caring, and highly knowledgeable/skilled in his field. He was prepared, on time and did not rush to review my case. Specifically, I appreciated his thorough examination and review of all material before coming to a conclusion about the plan of care for my spinal stenosis problem.

  12. Very helpful and friendly staff

  13. Dr. Ross exam and diagnosis was very comprehensive. His recommendation on next steps was also excellent. He was very attentive to my description of symptoms. The follow up notes available on MyChart are complete and clear.

  14. I keep coming back. That should say everything.

  15. Dr Ross in my opinion is a World Class Dr. He goes over my special CT scan and MRI IMAGES with explanations and what can be done (prognosis) which no other Dr has done with me ever. My wife agrees. Thank you Dr Ross

  16. Great appointment with Dr. Ross. Explained plan of action in detail.

  17. Dr Ross was very thoughtful and thorough. One of the best medical encounters I've had especially for this problem.

  18. I am pleased with my new patient interaction with Dr. Donald Ross. He is thoughtful, asked probing questions, made sense of 70 years of history, considered out-of-the-box diagnoses, listened carefully, gave me a generous amount of time, did not seem hurried (although you know he had other patients waiting). For the first time in years, I am hopeful about a diagnosis to a complicated set of problems. I'm cautiously optimistic that Dr. Ross will stick with me and help me through this.

  19. Dr. Ross brought up question about my medical conditions that I would not have thought of asking. He is thorough in his understanding of those problems. He genuinely cares about his patients and has always shown concern with my conditions.Bottom line, I would not want to have to replace him as a surgeon.

  20. Excellent physician and a person of integrity to the highest standards. He is thorough and patient oriented. Very kind.

  21. The time that Dr. Ross spent with me was excellent. I greatly appreciate our conversation and our plan of action. I also greatly appreciate that when I went to my other attending physician here in Eugene that he was incredibly impressed with the report that Dr. Ross had sent him in regards to my follow-up care.

  22. Dr. Ross is exceptionally knowledgeable and caring! It's very comforting to know he is taking care of my medical needs. Thank you!!

  23. Dr Ross was punctual for the virtual visit. He was very thorough with his explanation of the scan results

  24. Dr. Ross is one of my favorite all time doctors. He is highly skilled but he also takes abs interest in me.

  25. Best doctor I ever dealt with. He went over everything that nobody else did. And as far as I'm concerned, I couldn't ask for a better doctor. And he took his time and he explained things. And my wife was sitting there and she says, I have never seen a doctor so good. And take his time and explain things. He explained them where I could understand them. As far as I'm concerned, he should get my raise. And number two is, if I have to have an operation, I'd like to have him operate on me because I just can tell that he knows what he's doing. Anyway, but he says he has to rent the stuff from the pain clinic to do what needs to be done. They should let him do it for free. But anyway, best doctor ever. There you go.

  26. Dr Ross is personable and caring. He takes time communicating with his patients, and we felt very confident in the care my husband received.

  27. Dr Ross and all the staff at oshu have always provided me with the best care I could ask for. Very grateful.

  28. Dr Ross was kind, patient and informative. He took the time to explain things to me, show me images and was receptive to my questions and concerns.

  29. Dr. Ross is awesome obviously cares a great deal about his patience and he is obviously working way too much.I hope a good vacation is in store for him so he can get a little break

  30. Dr. Ross is superb in explaining what he'll do, what he's done and why. He inspires confidence and comfort in what he does. Above all, in contrast to others I know who have had negative results with similar procedures, I have a very positive result. Where prior I could only walk 1/2 mi. before the pain was too great to go on, this week I took a hike 3 mi. long with no pain at all!

  31. He's great. He spends so much time with each patient. He was a little late, but still gave me a lot of his time. I trust his experience and expertise so much. Thank you!

  32. Dr. Ross is the only surgeon I will go to as long as he's still working.

  33. This doctor I trust completely, because one can tell he has his patient's best interests at heart. He is very careful, very conservative (surgically), very academic and intellectual, as well as being a great listener - and willing to buck the "party line", if he feels he can help his patients with a more seasoned and reasoned approach. (This comes from a retired professor of medicine.)