Robert P. Dunbar, Jr., M.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Dunbar is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopaedic trauma surgeon. He received his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and his medical degree from Georgetown University. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Cornell’s Hospital for Special Surgery and then completed his orthopaedic trauma fellowship here at Harborview Medical Center/University of Washington. After completing his US Navy commitment he was asked to return to Harborview in 2005. Since then, in addition to his clinical responsibilities has been regularly involved with trauma related educational programs intramurally, nationally and internationally and is the current president of the Foundation for Orthopaedic Trauma.
Growing up, my mom was a nurse at our local community hospital and my dad was a state college professor. From them, I learned the value of commitment to one's community and service to others. After college, I served for two years as Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa. My experience there influenced my decision to pursue a career in medicine. I later served seven years on active duty in the US Navy, both overseas and in Virginia, often caring for active-duty personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. I strongly believe in Harborview's mission to our community. I am proud to work at a facility that promotes excellence in care to all comers. We give everything we have to help patients return to the lives they had prior to their injuries.
Dr. Dunbar's clinical and research interests include fractures of the lower limb, particularly those near the knee and ankle joints, including distal femur fractures, tibial plateau fractures, ankle fractures and tibial pilon fractures.
Outside of work, Dr Dunbar enjoys coaching high school lacrosse, travelling, exploring the Pacific Northwest and reading books & listening to podcasts on historical topics.
Make an Appointment
Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture Clinic at Harborview
325 9th Avenue
1st Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Common Surgeries Performed:
- Plating and intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures
- Open reduction and internal fixation of periarticular fractures
- Treatment of nonunions and malunions
Common Diagnoses Treated:
- Periarticular fractures
- Long bone fractures
- Fractures of the ankle
- Tibial plateau fractures
- Tibial Pilon fractures
- Salvage after failure of fracture fixation
- Nonunions and malunions
For a complete list of Dr. Dunbar's publications please see PubMed.
- Outcomes after lower extremity orthopaedic trauma
- Fractures and dislocations about the knee