12/30/2025
After more than four decades of dedicated service to Ellis & Badenhausen Orthopaedics, R. John Ellis, Jr., M.D., has announced his retirement, effective January 2026.
Dr. Ellis joined the practice in 1983, continuing the legacy of excellence established by his father, Rudy J. Ellis, Sr., M.D., one of the founding partners of Ellis & Badenhausen Orthopaedics. Over the course of his career, Dr. Ellis not only upheld that legacy—he expanded it through his leadership, clinical expertise, and unwavering commitment to patient care.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Ellis became a trusted physician to generations of patients and families in the Louisville community. He also served with distinction as Head Team Orthopaedic Physician for the University of Louisville Men’s Basketball program, a role he held for more than two decades, supporting student-athletes at the highest level of collegiate competition.
As Head Orthopaedic Surgeon at Ellis & Badenhausen Orthopaedics, Dr. Ellis played a pivotal role in shaping the growth and direction of the practice, mentoring colleagues, advancing orthopaedic care, and reinforcing the values on which the practice was founded—integrity, compassion, and excellence.
Dr. Ellis’ retirement marks the close of an extraordinary chapter in the history of Ellis & Badenhausen Orthopaedics—one defined by family legacy, professional leadership, and a lifelong dedication to the Louisville community we serve.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Ellis for his many years of service and wish him a well-deserved retirement filled with good health, happiness, and new adventures.
