William G. Mackenzie, MD
Dr. William Mackenzie spent the majority of his distinguished career at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, DE (formerly the Alfred I. duPont Institute). He served as Chair of Orthopedics from 2006 to 2023 and as Director of the Orthopedic Fellowship Program from 1994 to 2010. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in skeletal dysplasia and pediatric cervical spine disorders. Additionally, his clinical interests included limb length discrepancies, limb alignment, and orthopaedic treatment of muscular dystrophies.
His academic contributions are substantial, with more than 165 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 24 book chapters. He has treated thousands of children with skeletal dysplasia.
Originally from British Columbia, Canada, Dr. Mackenzie completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of British Columbia. He went on to complete an internship at McGill University in Montreal and returned to the University of British Columbia for his orthopaedic residency. His early career began under the mentorship of Dr. Stephen Tredwell, a fellow POSNA Hall of Fame member (Class of 2023). After several years in British Columbia, he was invited to join the faculty at the duPont Institute in Wilmington, where he continued to develop under the mentorship of Dr. Dean MacEwen, another POSNA Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2019).
At the duPont Institute, Dr. Mackenzie collaborated with Dr. Charles Scott, an internationally renowned geneticist, to establish a multi-disciplinary skeletal dysplasia program. In the 1990s, he initiated a weekly conference involving geneticists, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, therapists, and orthopaedic surgeons to comprehensively evaluate complex cases. He recognized the need for orthopaedic leadership in managing skeletal dysplasia from head to toe.
On average, patients travel over 550 miles to receive care from the team. Families come from across the United States, North America, and beyond. Dr. Mackenzie advocated for comprehensive care for children with skeletal dysplasia, confidently operating on all regions of the body. A lifelong student of anatomy, he also taught anatomy as a medical student and resident at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Mackenzie was a pioneer in developing treatments for children and young adults with skeletal dysplasia. He played a crucial role in designing early warning systems to mitigate the risk of spinal cord injury in patients with skeletal dysplasia and other genetic diagnoses, prompted by tragic cases of paralysis following anesthesia. These innovations have safeguarded countless children from such complications. His surgical innovations have improved the lives of many children.
He served as a longtime board member for the Little People of America and as Medical Director for the Dwarf Athletic Association of America, advocating for improved care and visibility for patients with skeletal dysplasias. He is a POSNA television celebrity as well, providing the introductory commentary for the television show Little People, Big World on The Learning Channel for many years.
Dr. Mackenzie also contributed extensively to POSNA, serving on the board of directors, as faculty at the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium for many years, and as a regular committee member and academic contributor to its annual meetings.
Dr. Mackenzie retired in December 2022 after a remarkable career during which he trained over 100 orthopaedic fellows and many hundreds of orthopaedic residents. His former colleague, Dr. Peter Gabos, remarked, “He did this with unbridled passion, a keen intellect, and a unique sense of humor.”
He continues to hold the titles of Emeritus Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and Emeritus Chair of Orthopedic Surgery.
Dr. Mackenzie has three sons. His eldest son, Dr. Stuart Mackenzie, is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and now leads the skeletal dysplasia program at Nemours. His middle son, Alexander, resides in London with his wife and two children, and his youngest son, Gregory, lives in Wilmington, DE, with his wife and two children.
In retirement, Dr. Mackenzie enjoys playing golf (usually with his dog by his side), fly fishing, gardening with his wife, Martha, and spending cherished time with his six grandchildren. His former colleague, Dr. Reid Nicholas, fondly notes that he is now “right where he needs to be—taking care of his grandchildren, bothering his wife, and working toward that hole-in-one!”
Though retired, Dr. Mackenzie remains closely connected to the hospital he helped shape. The team at Nemours continues to benefit from his vast expertise,as he regularly attends the Multidisciplinary Skeletal Dysplasia Meeting several times per month, guiding and mentoring the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.
Biography written by Dr. Sumeet Garg on behalf of the History & Hall of Fame Committee
