Join Dr. Conor McBride for a glimpse into life beyond the clinic. From a morning visit at ORA to playful moments at the park with his family, Dr. McBride shares the hobbies that bring him joy, the destinations he dreams of exploring, and the ways his patients inspire him every day.
Name: Conor McBride
Years in Practice: 1
Hometown and State: Bremerton, Washington
Favorite quote: “It’s not the will to win that matters, everyone has that; it’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul Bryant
Favorite book or movie and why: Something the Lord Made with Mos Def and Alan Rickman is a compelling film that tells the true story of two early pioneers in pediatric heart surgery. My younger brother’s life was saved by a modern version of the operation that these men invented, which makes this movie especially meaningful to me.
How do you like to spend your weekends? I love exploring the outdoors with my wife and son. Whether we’re hiking a trail, heading to the lake, or just spending time playing in the yard or at a park, my family and I typically try to get out in the sun every chance we can.
What are your interests/activities outside of work? I enjoy working out, biking and running, reading about history, and cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners. My wife and I are involved in our church, and our schedule stays fun and busy with an energetic one-year-old (and another baby on the way!)
Name one person you would like to meet and why? I would have loved to meet Earnest Shackleton, the explorer whose ship became trapped in ice during an expedition to cross Antarctica. His courage and grit in the face of enormous challenges saved the lives of his crew and still inspire countless people today.
Where would you most like to travel but have never been? Singapore seems like a beautiful country, I hope I get the chance to visit. I would also love to hike the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island someday.
What made you decide to become a doctor and specifically an orthopedic surgeon? I’ve always enjoyed fixing things and working with my hands. I had a chance to shadow a surgeon while I was in college, which was a real “lightbulb moment” for me. In medical school I found that orthopedic surgery connected with my love of sports, my engineering background and my fondness for power tools. Orthopedic surgery is also an exciting field where new technologies and innovations are constantly improving the level of care we can provide for our patients.
What do you like best about practicing medicine? For me, it’s all about seeing people get back to the things they love, whether that’s chasing their kids, playing a sport, or just walking without pain. Helping someone go from “I can’t” to “I can” is the best part of this job.
What inspires you most about your patients? So many of my patients face difficult injuries or debilitating pain with courage and optimism. I’m inspired by their determination and I feel honored to play a role in their healing. Even when recovery is tough, my patients show up, put in the work, and remind me why I do what I do.
If there is one piece of advice you wish your patients would take to heart, what would it be? What we eat and how we move are the foundation of our health. We can often overcome pain or injuries through lifestyle adjustments and working with an expert physical therapist. Even when surgery is needed, patients who commit to solid nutrition and physical therapy after an operation set themselves up for the most successful outcome.
Dr. McBride, ORA Orthopedics
