About
A “marathon” is how one Carroll alumnus describes the road to becoming a surgeon—a long, demanding journey that required perseverance, patience, and grit. That journey ultimately led Brian Blackwood ’01, just a decade after graduating from Carroll College, to become the first surgeon to complete fellowship-level training in robotic-assisted joint replacement. Since then, he has trained hundreds of surgeons in this advanced technology, helping improve the lives of countless patients and earning recognition as a national leader in his field.
Brian’s Carroll story began when he transferred to the College after spending a year at Montana State University in Bozeman. He was drawn to Carroll’s strong academics and athletics, its smaller campus environment, and the opportunity to be closer to his father in Helena. “I was able to fully tap into my potential because of the support of the professors and the community at Carroll,” Brian recalls. “At a larger school, I could have been lost in the shuffle. Carroll’s size gave me direct access to faculty and allowed for real academic growth.”
Several professors played a pivotal role in shaping his academic confidence, including Dr. Brehe, Dr. Shields, and Dr. Bugni. Their demanding coursework prepared him to train alongside graduates from Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League institutions. “Not once did I feel less than their equal,” he says. “Carroll gave me the preparation to compete at that level. While the network may be smaller, the education is every bit as strong as that of any larger or more widely known institution.”
Beyond the classroom, Carroll provided Brian with the chance to grow as an athlete and teammate. One vivid memory is an NAIA playoff game against Southern Oregon, played in six inches of snow. “They had no snow removal equipment,” he laughs. “It turned into a great comeback game, and we won to advance to the national semifinals for the second year in a row.” Experiences like these forged lasting bonds. “Carroll is small, so everyone knows everyone,” Brian says, “but the friendships I made there have lasted a lifetime.”
After earning his degree in biology, Brian faced another hurdle: he was seventh on the waitlist for the WWAMI program, a multi-state medical education partnership run by the University of Washington School of Medicine. Despite the setback, he remained determined. “You never know how things are going to work out,” he says, “but you can never stop trying to accomplish your goals.”
That determination paid off. Brian was accepted into WWAMI later that same year and went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico. He then pursued a fellowship in robotic-assisted joint replacement in Napa Valley, California, becoming the first surgeon to achieve this advanced level of training. Soon after, he relocated to Boulder, Colorado, where he continues to practice today.
Robotic-assisted joint replacement allows surgeons to plan and perform procedures with exceptional precision, using 3D imaging and real-time feedback tailored to each patient’s anatomy. By improving implant alignment and protecting surrounding tissue, the technology can lead to less pain, faster recovery, and longer-lasting joint replacements—outcomes that reflect the patient-centered approach Brian brings to his practice.
Now a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Brian specializes in hip and knee joint replacement, including Mako SmartRobotics™ procedures. He joined BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine in 2013 after practicing at the Coon Joint Replacement Institute in St. Helena, California. As Boulder’s first fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement specialist, he has become a nationally recognized leader in robotic-assisted joint surgery and a certified educator who has trained hundreds of providers across the country.
Brian has performed more than 5,000 robotic-assisted joint replacement surgeries—the most of any surgeon in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountain region—placing him in the top 0.1% nationwide. His leadership and excellence have also earned him recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2024 and 2025.
With the little free time he has, Brian enjoys making the most of Colorado’s outdoors with his wife, Cheryl, and their five children, whose ages range from 16 to six-year-old twins.
While the journey was long and often challenging, Brian says the rewards have made every step worthwhile. “It’s the most fulfilling profession I can imagine,” he reflects. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
