Robert J. O'Brien, DrPH, MHS, PA-C

Assistant Professor , Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Robert O’Brien, DrPH, MHS, PA-C, joined the physician assistant program faculty in May 2023. He has practiced clinically in orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine, sports traumatology, joint reconstruction, and reconstructive plastic surgery. His clinical work includes peri-operative management and first assisting within the operating room. His professional interests include sports injury prevention, surgical innovation, preventive medicine, evidence-based care, inclusion of marginalized populations in sports, and the effective integration of public health concepts into clinical medicine. He continues to remain involved in several research efforts focused on these areas. Dr. O’Brien completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Richmond, studying leadership and medical humanities. He earned his master’s in health sciences from Drexel University in 2013. He earned his doctoral degree in public health from Walden University in 2023.

Publications

  • Published 5/23/2025

    Conner-Rilk S, Goodhart GC, von Rehlingen-Prinz F, van der List JP, Kunze KN, Tomanek F, O'Brien RJ, DiFelice GS. Sustained Clinical and Functional Outcomes After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-up Study. Am J Sports Med. 2025 May 23; 3635465251340087. PMID: 40407223.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/8/2022

    Holuba K, Vermeijden HD, Yang XA, O'Brien R, van der List JP, DiFelice GS. Treating Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries Operatively in the Acute Setting Is Potentially Advantageous. Arthroscopy. 2023 Apr; 39(4):1099-1107. PMID: 35817377.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/6/2021

    Vermeijden HD, van der List JP, O'Brien RJ, DiFelice GS. Primary Repair of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: Current Level of Evidence of Available Techniques. JBJS Rev. 2021 May 06; 9(5). PMID: 33956672.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/14/2020

    Vermeijden HD, van der List JP, O'Brien R, DiFelice GS. Return to sports following arthroscopic primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament in the adult population. Knee. 2020 Jun; 27(3):906-914. PMID: 32303448.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/7/2020

    Vermeijden HD, van der List JP, O'Brien R, DiFelice GS. Patients Forget About Their Operated Knee More Following Arthroscopic Primary Repair of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Than Following Reconstruction. Arthroscopy. 2020 Mar; 36(3):797-804. PMID: 31919026.

    Read at: PubMed

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Websites

Education

  • Drexel University, MHS
  • University of Richmond, BA

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