Dr. William Neal

Meet Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. William Neal!

Background: William Neal grew up in Chicago, IL and enjoyed all the avenues The Second City had to offer. During the summers, his family would take yearly trips snowboarding, hiking, camping, and fishing, exposing him to other facets of life not found in the big city. He went to New Trier High School in the northern suburbs where he played varsity baseball and earned All-State honors as a senior. To experience a new environment, he then moved to the east coast to attend Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA) as a pre-medical/biology major. After a brief stint on the baseball team, his main extra-curricular activity became being a tutor, helping incarcerated men obtain their GEDS — a wonderful experience that taught him the value of perspective. After graduating college, Dr. Neal returned to Chicago and matriculated into the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine. After exploring all specialties, he decided to pursue a career in Orthopedic Surgery. To learn more about the field, he spent a year between his third and fourth years of medical school conducting research at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in the Division of Sports Medicine. This experience was highlighted by publishing 20 peer-reviewed papers and giving an award winning podium presentation at the International Society of Hip Arthroscopy in Santiago, Chile. In 2019, Dr. Neal then matched at the prestigious NYU/Hospital for Joint Diseases in Manhattan to begin his training. Over the following 5 years, Dr. Neal forged the strongest of bonds with his co-residents through rigorous training and experiences inside and outside of the hospital. From being an intern in Bellevue Hospital’s Emergency Department during the peak of the COVID pandemic, to exploring New York’s culinary and cocktail bar scene, to being Chief Resident and running the orthopedic team of NYU, Bellevue, Jamaica (Queens) and NYU Brooklyn, he could not imagine a greater place to train.  Dr. Neal is currently completing his Hand & Microvascular Fellowship at the University of Utah. Though he has spent the majority of his life in urban environments, he is truly enjoying the change of pace in lifestyle that accompanies the beauty of Utah. During his fellowship year, he hopes to reconnect with the outdoors by hiking, golfing, swimming, and snowboarding. In his free time at home, he is an avid mixologist, enjoys working out, and (unfortunately), is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan.

What made you want to become a Physician?

My experiences working with underserved communities inspired me to pursue a career where I could directly improve lives. Orthopedic Surgery allows me to help restore mobility and quality of life for my patients.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to Black students pursuing a career in medicine?

Stay true to your purpose and build a strong support system. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who uplift you, and remember that your presence in medicine is valuable and needed.

What does being part of Black Physicians of Utah mean to you?

It’s a chance to connect, uplift, and advocate for each other in a space where Black representation is limited. Being part of this community allows me to support and be supported, creating a network that strengthens us all.