
Dawn Mitzner LaPorte, MD
Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery
Highlights
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Dawn Mitzner LaPorte
Professional Titles
- Thomas M. Brushart, M.D. Professor in Hand Surgery
- Vice Chairman, Education
- Residency Program Director, Orthopaedic Surgery
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Background
Dr. Dawn LaPorte is a professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her areas of clinical expertise are hand and wrist injuries, including ligament injuries, avascular necrosis, arthritis, nerve compression syndromes and Dupuytren’s contracture. Dr. LaPorte serves as the residency program director for the Orthopaedic Surgery Training Program.
Dr. LaPorte received her undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She completed her orthopaedic surgery training at Johns Hopkins and performed her hand and upper extremity surgery fellowship training at the Curtis National Hand Center.
Her research interests include wrist pain, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears and resident education.
Dr. LaPorte is a Member-at-Large of the American Society of Surgery for the Hand (ASSH) and serves on multiple ASSH committees, including the Diversity Committee and the Resident Education Committee. She is also an ASSH 2020 Annual Meeting Program Chair. She serves on the Governing Council of the national Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors.
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
Women in Orthopaedics, Leading by Example | Johns Hopkins Orthopaedic Surgery (Summer 2016)
Q&A with Dawn LaPorte, Orthopaedic Residency Program Director | Johns Hopkins Orthopaedic Surgery (Winter 2014)
Research Interests
Peripheral nerve, Resident education, Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears, Wrist innervation, Wrist pain
Research Summary
Dr. Laporte's research focuses on improving musculoskeletal education for orthopaedic and non-orthopaedic resident training. The ultimate goal of her research is to improve patient care.
Research Gate
Selected Publications
Ahlawat S, Corl FM, LaPorte DM, Fishman EK, Fayad LM. MDCT of hand and wrist infections: emphasis on compartmental anatomy. Clin Radiol. 2017 Apr;72(4):338.e1-338.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2016.11.020. Epub 2017 Jan 6. Review.
Bernard JA, Dattilo JR, Srikumaran U, Zikria BA, Jain A, LaPorte DM. Reliability and Validity of 3 Methods of Assessing Orthopedic Resident Skill in Shoulder Surgery. J Surg Educ. 2016 Nov - Dec;73(6):1020-1025. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2016.04.023. Epub 2016 Jun 3.
Brooks JT, Reidler JS, Jain A, LaPorte DM, Sterling RS. Post-Interview Communication During Application to Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Oct 5;98(19):e84. Review.
Devulapalli C, Han KD, Bello RJ, LaPorte DM, Hepper CT, Katz RD. Inadvertent Intra-Arterial Drug Injections in the Upper Extremity: Systematic Review. J Hand Surg Am. 2015 Nov;40(11):2262-2268.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.08.002. Epub 2015 Sep 26. Review.
Grasu BL, LaPorte DM. Hand Problems Related to Chemotherapeutic Agents. J Hand Surg Am. 2015 Dec;40(12):2473-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.10.001. Review.
Graduate Program Affiliations
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery
Memberships
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- American Orthopaedic Association
Professional Activities
- American Orthopaedic Association, Governing Council of the Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Diversity Committee
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Chair, Resident Education Committee
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10803 Falls Road, Pavilion III STE 2100, Lutherville, MD 21093
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 443-769-1281
- Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Suite 5009, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 410-614-1451
Expertise
Education
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
Fellowship, Hand Surgery, 2001Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2000Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1995Board Certifications
Surgery of the Hand
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2004Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2003Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
141 ratings, 45 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/18/2025
Outstanding as usual for the past 22 years.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/11/2025
Dr LaPorte inspires confidence in her medical judgment. I have seen her several times over the years with positive results. She is an excellent communicator, listens to me, and has diagnosed and treated my condition accurately. She has a pleasant, reassuring manner that overlays her obviously excellent training as a doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2025
Punctual , very knowledgeable and informative ,respectful, easy to talk to
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/24/2025
Provider answered all my questions, spent time with me explaining next steps.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2025
Determined, knowledgeable and considerate doctor, I am looking forward to a successful procedure.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2025
Patient in answering questions, Clear in giving care expectations
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Dr LaPorte and the resident were attentive to the impact of my fall and injured wrist. After x rays were inconclusive they managed at least3:30 In the afternoon to get act scan scheduled that day which showed a fracture. That led to use of a more restrictive splint and plans for surgery after healing occurs. I was impressed, as a professor of medicine, in the ortho team taking the extra steps to facilitate definitive care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/14/2025
Dr Laporte was fantastic, she was on time, got me in on short notice ad was very helpful in diagnosing what was wrong and was willing to order additional tests after we spoke with another provider about an underlying condition. I am so grateful for her amazing care!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/14/2025
Dr. LaPorte and her resident were very friendly and helpful and provided all of the information that was needed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/10/2025
This was the "best" doctors appointment I've ever had. I arrived exactly when my appointment was scheduled. Before I got my coat off I was called back to the examination room. A delightful nurse, whose name I don't remember (originally from Mexico) checked me in. Before she could leave the room Dr LaPorte entered and we began. Everything was on time!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/8/2025
Dawn LaPorte is the most caring and efficient provider. I switched alot of my care due to where I live to Medstar, however, Dr. LaPorte is the only hand specialist I will not switch from.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2025
Thank the doctor and her assistant for reviewing my concerns and explaining the treatments needed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2025
Dr LaPorte is very professional, always providing up to date options for my treatment
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Excellent; listened to my concerns re re delaying surgery; discussed various possible approches to pain and verious solutions
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/10/2024
This was my first time seeing this doctor. I really appreciate her taking time to answer my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2024
Very respectful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2024
Dr laporte in my opinion is the GREATEST.Caring . Professional. And very concerned about her patients
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/19/2024
Dr Laporte was very kind and patient and explained everything about my condition and what was next in a way I could understand
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/19/2024
Dr Dawn LaPorte is the best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/13/2024
She was excellent as always her assistant was extremely good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/13/2024
Dr Laporte is a wonderful surgeon with an awesome bedside manner
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2024
She is very professional and gentle
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2024
She operated on my leftvhan feed CB in 2019. A very successful surgery. She s very competent and kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/15/2024
Dr. Laporte and her medical student were great!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2024
Fantastic
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2024
Her resident did a thorough exam and informed her of my condition. She was very understanding of my fear of needles
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2024
Dr LaPorte is compassionate & honest. She takes her time to explain. She is patient and answers my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
Dr LaPorte is an outstanding physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2024
I appreciate Dr Laporte,s understanding and taking time to explain multiple options in detail.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/30/2024
Excellent knowledge and ability to communicate about my condition. Highly skilled. Warm, friendly, inspires confidence.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/12/2024
Proficient knowledgp
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2024
It was a very good experience
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/28/2024
She is great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2024
She's an excellent doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/12/2024
Dr. Laporte is amazing. She has great skill and knowledge, and wonderful bedside manner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/11/2024
Dr Laporte is the best hand surgeon
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/31/2024
Couldn't have been a better visit. Very pleased.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/28/2024
Makes you feel at ease, not rushed. Answered all my questions
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/28/2024
She was great at explaining what comes next.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/23/2024
Dr. Laporte was called to emergency surgery before 6AM on the day of my appointment. Although she was delayed until about 3:15 (2 hours late for my appointment) she was astute and caring in her work. I was amazed and grateful to receive such service after a long day for her. Couldn't ask for better.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/16/2024
They are all professionals and treat people very well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/8/2024
I have full confidence in Dr. Laporte's treatment of my condition and the advice she gave me. In addition to being highly skilled in her chosen field of work, Dr. Laporte is very caring. I am extremely pleased with the care she has given me and fortunate to be her patient.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/23/2024
Very knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
Excellant
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
Had to wait over 20 minutes to see the doctor, after I saw the resident.