
Stephen A. Mendelson, MD
Spine Surgery
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Infant
- Child
- Adolescent
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (25)Gender
MaleAbout Stephen A. Mendelson
Stephen A. Mendelson, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where he serves as director of Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma in the Benedum Trauma Center, program director for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowship Program, and vice chief of the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also an assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and attended the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Mendelson completed a residency in general orthopaedic surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, followed by a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic and spinal deformity at Children's Hospital of Washington with the University of Washington Medical School.
Dr. Mendelson takes care of a wide variety of pediatric orthopaedic conditions including scoliosis, neuromuscular orthopaedics, pediatric orthopaedic trauma, hip diseases, and a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions in children involving the spine and both upper and lower extremities. He has been named one of Pittsburgh's “Top Doctors” by Best Doctors, Inc. in Pittsburgh Magazine, awarded the Golden Apple Award for resident education, and received a Spinal Deformity Advancement Award for his contribution to spinal deformity surgery.
View Dr. Mendelson's full list of publications from PubMed.
Are you already a patient of this provider and have a MyUPMC account? Log in to MyUPMC to schedule.
This provider is affiliated with UPMC.

Leadership Title
Vice Chair, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship Director, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Chief, Pediatric Orthopedic Trauma
Academic Title
Provider Type
Physician
Locations
- Pediatric Orthopaedics in Lawrenceville
- 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
- phone: 412-692-5530
- Pediatric Orthopaedics in Monroeville
- 4055 Monroeville Boulevard, Building 1, Monroeville, PA 15146
- phone: 412-692-5530
- Pediatric Orthopaedics in Sewickley
- 2599 Wexford Bayne Road, Sewickley, PA 15143
- phone: 412-692-5530
- Pediatric Orthopaedics in Bridgeville
- 205 Millers Run Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017
- phone: 412-692-5530
Expertise
Education
Children's Hospital and Medical Center
FellowshipRush Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center
ResidencyUniversity of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine
Medical EducationBoard Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryInsurance
- UPMC for Life
- UPMC for You
- UPMC Health Plan
- Aetna
- Aetna CHIP
- Amerihealth Caritas
- Caresource
- Cigna
- Gateway
- Health America
- Health America / Advantra
- Highmark
- Humana
- Independent Health
- Medical Mutual of OH
- Medicare
- Non-PA Medical Assistance
- PA Health And Wellness
- PA Medical Assitance
- Palmetto
- The Health Plan
- Tricare
- Unison
- United Healthcare
- Veterans Choice
Ratings & Reviews
4.3 out of 5
219 ratings, 32 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2025
Dr Mendelson is incredibly thorough, always takes the time to listen, and explains everything in a way that's easy to understand. I always leave my son's appointments feeling confident and well-informed.
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2025
While Dr. Mendelson was professional during the appointment, we felt as though we were just rushed through. We spent less than 15-20 minutes, at max, with the doctor, after waiting for over 2 hours for our appt. Which was disappointing.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/10/2025
Great experience - everyone actually acted like they work around children in a good way (often times you wonder about certain personalities and why they even bother to work around kids but in this case everyone was fantastic)
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/23/2025
Outstanding
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
My son has been treated by Dr Mendelson for the past 5 years and he has been great. He explains things well and keeps us involved in decisions.
- 2 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/27/2024
We were referred to the care provider from our local doctor. Care provider seem disinterested in our appointment. Seem to think it was pointless. Which if the appointment was unnecessary, we should've been notified so we didn't have to drive an hour both directions for nothing.
- 1 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2024
I was made to feel as though my concerns about my daughter were an inconvenience to the provider and that I wasted his time. I felt as though minimal effort was put forth during the appointment to assess my daughter or to put either of our minds at ease. Dr. Mendelson was abrupt and abrasive and I did not feel like he listened to my concerns. I will not be scheduling with him again because he made me feel like a complete idiot for scheduling an appointment for my daughter.
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/15/2024
Enjoyed doctor's bedside manner.
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/21/2024
We didn't see the provider for very long.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/2/2024
We love Dr Mendkeson we've been going to him since I was 10 best Dr there is!!
- No RatingReviewed on 9/19/2024
This doctor was terrible. He was condescending, rude, and dismissive. When asked questions he talked down to both myself and my young son. We were not made to feel like his questions or injury mattered at all.
- 2 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/16/2024
Not very communicative
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2024
Dr. Mendelson is the best in his field.
- 2 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/15/2024
The doctor was in the room for all of 3 minutes Not much to discuss but if that's the case we could have done imaging and him sent results to us
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/9/2024
Excellent doctor he goes in depth and explains fully what's happening n what our next steps are
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/28/2024
We've really appreciated the doctor's expertise and calm; however, it seems like he isn't very familiar with newborn care outside of his practice. We've been doing our best to comply with the instructions around our child's orthopedic needs but haven't gotten clear answers on practical questions like how to handle tummy time or what carriers might be usable at the moment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/18/2024
Dr Mendelson is the kindest and most genuine surgeon I've ever met. The compassion he showed my daughter made a dreadful experience a lot easier for us
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/4/2024
Very personable. Very direct and to the point. Explained everything.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2024
Everything felt very rushed. Very insincere. Just because the problem our child has is something they've seen before doesn't mean we know the first thing about it. So being rushed through treatments and plans of care left a bad taste in our mouths.
- 1 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/22/2024
Several questions were asked about limitations on lifting, bending, and daily activity that were simply ignored and not addressed. We asked about a return to school or a letter to confirm our son needed to continue on home bound instruction, the question was completely ignored. We felt rushed to get out of the room and out of the department.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/25/2024
Dr M is amazing!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/11/2024
He talked with us regarding options and what he thought was best and also spoke with our daughter regarding what needed to happen.
- No RatingReviewed on 12/15/2023
I have never been treated so badly by a physician in my entire life. We were talked down on, laughed at, told everything we've been doing for our child was a mistake. We felt everything he had to say was pre meditated prior to even coming into our room and he didn't even listen to what we had to say. There is absolutely no way I would ever recommend this doctor to anyone! He didn't even do the exam on my child with him laying on the exam table. He had my 36lb 2 year old LAY on my lap on his back then on his stomach and did his exam that way. How on earth was he able to do a quality exam that way!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/6/2023
We have only had follow up appointments with this doctor so I don't have much to go off of about his practices but he has always been kind and compassionate with my daughter.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/19/2023
We loved Dr. Mendelson!
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/11/2023
The condition was named but the doctor was dismissive and quick. I did not fully understand the cosmetic/developmental effects, but he was quick to make a conclusion. I learned more from Google after the appointment than sitting with the Dr.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/21/2023
Everything was good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/23/2023
Dr M was great!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/8/2023
Dr Mendelson is the best. We would not take our daughter to anyone but him. We have been seeing him for 12 years and could not be happier. We are grateful for him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/1/2023
We loved Dr Mendelian. Especially the dad jokes.
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/24/2023
I was very disappointed in the manner the provider at his appointment was not friendly and I felt rushed he was not friendly or personal at all. I would not Recommend him to anyone. I have taken many surveys and this is the worst response I have ever had to expres.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/18/2023
Doctor made my son feel at ease, joking around to helpHim relax.