He underwent Orthopaedic Surgery residency training at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he was elected Chief Administrative resident. As Chief resident, he helped oversee the entire residency program, and was awarded journal club grants from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery/Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. He was also awarded a Hark Lectureship grant and served as a team physician for the Chicago Public Schools’ athletic program. Additionally, his position as chief resident earned him the opportunity to work at spring training with the Chicago Cubs.
Following residency, he furthered his spine surgery training with a fellowship at the University of California, San Diego under Dr. Steven R. Garfin. During this time, he worked with both neuro and orthopaedic spine surgeons to learn advanced surgical techniques in the treatment of spinal disorders. His training with both orthopaedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons taught him the techniques utilized in both realms of spinal surgery that he now incorporates into his own practice. As a fellow, he was awarded the Depuy Spine Fellowship award. He has lectured locally, regionally, and nationally on spinal disorders and treatments, and has taught numerous courses on both traditional open and advanced minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques.
In 2008, Dr Johnson was elected Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Saddleback Hospital, and, in 2010, he was elected Chief of Surgery at Saddleback Hospital. He served in various medical staff leadership roles until the end of 2022. In 2015, he participated in the MemorialCare Leadership Academy, which exposed him to the administrative challenges of hospitals and hospital systems. Afterwards, he also obtained his Lean Leader Certification in 2019/20. He is also one of only a few dozen physicians, nationally, to have graduated from Optum’s prestigious Sequoia Fellowship. In 2020, he was elected as the inaugural President of OrthoWest, and has served in that capacity since that time.
Dr. Johnson practices all aspects of operative spine care, and treats the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Although, he specializes in both open and minimally invasive techniques of spinal surgery, he has an extended interest in minimally invasive spinal surgery and outpatient spinal surgery. His philosophy is to find the most minimally invasive surgical treatment that will maximize a patient’s improvement and recovery. He has been actively involved in the creation and growth of the outpatient spine surgery line at the Surgical Center of Saddleback.
Dr. Johnson was listed in Super Doctors® Rising StarsSM for three consecutive years 2013, 2014, and 2015; was voted as America’s Top Physicians; and was selected to Orange Coast Magazine’s Top Doctors 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Although he enjoys splitting his time between his clinical and administrative duties as a physician, he is deeply committed to his family. Outside of work, he can be found working with his daughter on her many sporting endeavors, or supporting his son’s theatrical pursuits, either as an audience member or as a volunteer building or tearing down sets. He also enjoys snow or waterskiing, snowboarding, and biking.
He sees patients at the Laguna Woods and Fountain Valley office locations.
Awards
- Dr. Johnson was named by his peers to the Super Doctors Southern California list for 2017
- ‘Top Doctors’ (Spinal Surgery)
- Orange Coast Magazine, January 2017
Click here for more information about Bryce Johnson, MD
Physician Assistant
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Patient Testimonials
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HealthgradesExtremely knowledgeable. Explains things in layman’s terms. Very happy with results from both my surgeries (lower back and neck)~ Nancy McBride ~
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HealthgradesAfter months of arm and shoulder pain and going through various therapies to address it, I found out I had a herniated disc in my neck. Once this was pinpointed through an MRI, I was discussing neck surgery with Dr. Johnson - something I had not even contemplated! He was very personable and compassi...
~ Gloria S ~
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HealthgradesDr. Johnson was understanding and patient. My appointment time was honored. He explained the options to me, no pressure.
~ Carol ~
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HealthgradesDr Johnson listened to my concerns, and made a plan to help me. I look forward to getting better with his knowledge.
~ Verified Patient ~
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HealthgradesDr Johnson is very informative and easy to talk with. Great surgeon!
~ Randall E Hobby ~
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HealthgradesAppointment was friendly, thorough and specific with recommended treatment.
~ Verified Patient ~
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HealthgradesGreat, Dr. Johnson explained things to me very clearly. The office was quick and efficient. I recommend him.
~ Karen ~
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HealthgradesDr. Johnson is a great surgeon, I have had 2 surgeries, and both have exceeded my expectations. I am 61 and did not expect the great results we have gotten. I almost did not see Dr. Johnson because he was my second opinion and my first was such a disaster that I was not going to go see him. But my w...
~ Scott ~
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HealthgradesDr Johnson is a wonderful doctor! After listening to me describe the issues I was having with my back and going over my MRI with me, he told me that he could do a minimally invasive surgery on my back. The first doctor I saw was at Hoag in Irvine and he told me he would have to do a full open back s...
~ Lynnda ~
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Website-reviews“It worked!” is what I said to Dr. Johnson the day after my surgery. I could tell the pain, weakness, and tingling was gone. I felt different and it felt right. I had needed anterior and posterior spinal fusion and disc repair for over 15 years. I kept putting off the surgery until my body final...~ LG ~
