David G. Stewart, PA-C
David G. Stewart, PA-C, is an experienced orthopedic physician assistant with more than 11 years in clinical practice, including seven years dedicated specifically to orthopedics. Currently serving in the orthopedics department at Inova Health System, he focuses on orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and total joint replacement. In January 2026, Stewart began a new role working with Inova’s teams at Mount Vernon and Alexandria, collaborating with emerging surgeons to support the growth of their practices while delivering high-quality care to patients throughout Northern Virginia.
Throughout his career, Stewart has built a diverse clinical background that extends beyond orthopedics. In addition to his orthopedic surgical work, he has provided general surgery coverage across several specialties, including vascular surgery, robotic surgery, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. His path into medicine began unexpectedly after he suffered a shoulder injury during his freshman year of college. Originally pursuing a communications degree, the experience of undergoing surgery and rehabilitation sparked his interest in healthcare. After exploring physical therapy and completing science coursework, Stewart discovered the physician assistant profession and realized it aligned perfectly with his passion for hands-on medicine and patient care. A defining moment came when he shadowed an orthopedic spine surgeon in the operating room—an experience that confirmed his desire to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.
Stewart is particularly passionate about the immediate impact orthopedic care can have on patients’ lives. He enjoys guiding individuals through their recovery process, helping them understand their procedures and what to expect after surgery. Viewing himself as a bridge between surgeon and patient, he focuses heavily on education, translating complex medical language into clear, relatable explanations that help patients feel more confident and at ease. In addition to clinical care, Stewart serves as a preceptor for physician assistant students during their surgical rotations and mentors aspiring PA candidates interested in the profession. With a strong preference for working in the operating room and a commitment to both patient outcomes and medical education, he continues to play a vital role in advancing orthopedic care while supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
• Philadelphia University, MS, 2014
• Philadelphia University Bachelors - Kinesiology
• PA-C
• American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Total Joint Replacement
- General Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Robotic Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Plastic Surgery
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
One of the things I like about surgery and orthopedics in general is that it's a little bit more of an instant gratification. Somebody's got an injury, and we fix it, and then seeing them do well is very gratifying. I get to see the full scope from the injury through the emotions and rigors of the problem, having it fixed, and then the initial post-op period. I really enjoy coaching patients through that period, and I think I'm actually pretty good at that - helping them get through and understand why we do what we do, what to expect, and then seeing it come full circle. They start doing well, following along, they're very happy with their recovery, and then they move on. It's nice to have that gratification of seeing a problem and fixing it. I also really enjoy the educational aspect of it. I feel like I'm a middleman between the surgeon and the patient. Sometimes surgeons use medical jargon that is just common speak to them, and it can go over the patient's head. I can really bring things down to a layman's level to explain and help the patient understand what's going on, what we're doing, why we're doing it, and what to expect. Over the years, I've come up with different analogies that I use during appointments in the office with patients that I have found have been really helpful. I almost attribute it to translating another language. The patient education aspect is very important because so many times I see patients in the office freaking out, and when I tell them that's completely normal, that's to be expected, that will get better, to see the relief come off their shoulders is nice. I wish we could convey that better ahead of time to save a lot of anxiety for the patient.