Joel Wells, MD, MPH, FAAOS

Dr. Wells is a fellowship-trained comprehensive hip surgeon. He specializes in periacetabular osteotomy, arthroscopic and open hip preservation surgery, hip sports surgery, anterior total hip replacement, hip resurfacing, and hip reconstruction. He has a particular interest in hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, Perthes, complex hip deformities and hip research. Dr. Wells is also the medical director of the Comprehensive Hip Center Program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — McKinney.


Dr. Wells grew up in Abilene, TX, attending Abilene Cooper High School, where he was valedictorian. He then continued his education at Abilene Christian University, where he was a four-year baseball letterman and was drafted by the New York Mets. Choosing medicine over baseball, he knows he made the right choice. He goes to sleep each night contemplating the patients he treated that day and wakes up ready to meet the new ones. He can often be found at his desk handwriting thank-you notes and does not hesitate to make the occasional house call. Dr. Wells says he has the best job in the world.
Dr. Wells was recognized by D Magazine as a Best Doctor for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Read Dr. Wells' article, "Hip dysplasia: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatments to keep you moving well."
Read Dr. Wells' article, "Treating hip pain with less invasive techniques."
D Magazine has named Baylor Scott & White Orthopedics the "Face of Orthopedics" for 2026. Read more here.
Dr. Wells was recently featured in a Local Profile article about "How Baylor Scott & White Is Helping Collin County Move Better."

Dr. Wells has been named a Texas Super Doctor for 2025 by Texas Monthly.