Donna Blankenbaker, MD, FACR

Donna G. Blankenbaker, MD is a professor of radiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH) in Madison, WI. She joined the faculty in 2001 after completing her residency in 2000 and her musculoskeletal radiology fellowship in 2001. She is the medical director of outpatient radiology for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, director of medical imaging at UW Health Sports Medicine Research Park, and director of musculoskeletal research at UWSMPH.

Dr. Blankenbaker is a lead author and editor for Elsevier MSK Section. She was the musculoskeletal section editor of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) from 2008-20. She serves on the editorial board for Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology. She serves on multiple UWSMPH, Department of Radiology and national radiology society committees.  Since 2010, she has served on the American Board of Radiology certifying/MOC musculoskeletal committee and chaired that committee 2016-24. She was the program chair for the International Skeletal Society (2024-26). She is the past president of the Society of Skeletal Radiology.

Her research interests are imaging of the hip and pelvis, sports injuries, hip articular cartilage, iliopsoas tendon, and groin injuries. Her work has resulted in over 116 research and review articles, and 200 book chapters as well as the editor of five books. She has made over 250 national and international presentations and over 50 regional presentations. She has been invited to moderate over 25 scientific sessions at national and international meeting and has over 50 presented abstracts.

Dr. Blankenbaker was selected for the AUR-Philips Academic Faculty Development Program in 2004, received the RSNA Seed Grant in 2006, and completed the American Roentgen Ray Society Figley Fellowship in Radiology Journalism in 2007. She received the Outstanding Medical Student Teaching Award from the University of Wisconsin in 2007 and the 2014 Outstanding Teacher of the Year award for the Department of Radiology.

Dr. Blankenbaker has participated in many radiology outreach programs. This includes the International Skeletal Society (ISS) Outreach Program in Oman (2010), First Update Course of the Interamerican College of Radiology (CIR) in Cancun (2013), Asian Series Special Musculoskeletal Workshop for Young Radiologists in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (2016), Outreach Program in Brazil (2019); the RSNA International Visiting Professor (IVP) Program to Brazil (2010, 2024), and Malaysia (2017).  

Away from work, Dr. Blankenbaker enjoys traveling, cycling, hiking, and water sports.