Theresa A. Hennessey,
MD

Languages Spoken: English, French, Spanish
Dr. Theresa Hennessey, Assistant Professor, has been with the Department of Orthopaedics since 2006, when she completed her fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedics. Her practice is primarily at Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City. Dr. Hennessey practices General Pediatric Orthopaedics, her areas of particular interest include clubfeet, developmental dysplasia of the hip, Perthes Disease, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, limb deformities and deficiencies. She also has experience with skeletal dysplasias, arthrogryposis, cerebral palsy, and foot deformities. Dr. Hennessey is passionate about International Medicine and involved in such work in Nicaragua, Haiti, and Ecuador.
Clinical Locations
Shriners Hospital for Children
801-536-3564
Specialties
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Orthopaedics
-
Associate Professor (Clinical) |
Board Certification | American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.7/ 5

Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.7/ 5

Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.6/ 5

Wait time at clinic
4.2/ 5

Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.7/ 5

Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
October 21, 2021
RIVERTON CLINICS
The Dr. Seemed in a rush and didn't even ask if we had questions which I had a lot of. When I stopped her to ask my questions she was very good about answering them. Would be nice if the dr would ask for questions before racing out of the room.
UofU Patient
October 01, 2021
RIVERTON CLINICS
Dr seemed I a hurry. I have never had a child with a broken arm before. She answered my questions but seemed distracted
UofU Patient
April 19, 2021
RIVERTON CLINICS
Dr. Hennessy made me feel like [NAME REMOVED] was the only patient she had. I know the clinic is busy, but I felt true empathy from her. I felt like she listened to any questions I had and took the time to explain the answers to me thoroughly and made sure I understood what was being said and what our options were. I also witnessed an interaction between her and who I would assume is her nurse, Tyler. The doctor was trying to cut a piece of wood to make a wedge in my daughters cast, and Tyler said, "Can I show you some thing that makes it a little bit easier?". Dr. Hennessy said, "Sure!". he showed her an easier method of steadying the wood while cutting into it. I appreciated seeing how well they work together and how receptive she was to ideas and help.
UofU Patient
March 18, 2021
RIVERTON CLINICS
i wish they had discussed a cast instead of a boot or explained how the boot would be better.
UofU Patient
October 16, 2020
RIVERTON CLINICS
Dr. Hennessy is wonderful. My son was very fussy during our visit because he very easily receives sensory overload. Dr. Hennessy was very kind and showed compassion-something I rarely feel from the many doctors we visit. She quickly provided the information needed for the appointment since it was clear my son needed to get home. Dr. Hennessy provides quality care as well as being highly understanding of different people's situations. I wish more doctors were that way.
UofU Patient
October 12, 2020
RIVERTON CLINICS
Our first visit went well and she really listened to us. However on the second visit she spent like 2 minutes in the room and didn't explain anything. The nurse had to go find the doctor and tell me his care instructions for the next 4 weeks after the removal of his cast now that he would be in a boot.
UofU Patient
September 08, 2020
RIVERTON CLINICS
The provider was very quick to go through the x-ray results and was quick to tell us that we only needed a cast and no surgery was needed. It was a fast visit, but very efficient.
UofU Patient
June 28, 2020
RIVERTON CLINICS
Dr Hennessy came into the exam room looked at the X-ray explained she would need a cast for 5 weeks non weight barring and then in a walking boot. Then said she we would cast it. I assumed she was coming back to help with the casting. I just was never able to ask her questions or did she indicate that she would not be returning to the exam room. For being a specialist she spent less than 5 min in the exam room, didn't touch or look at my daughter's leg and did not answer any ofmy questions. I appreciate not having to wait for hours at the appointment but some bedside manner and actually seeing the patient would have been nice. Customer service like this in an other profession wouldn't be tolerated, especially with such a price tag. After the visit I read reviews with similar experiences it sounds like the Dr could really use some extra guidance or training.
Dr. Theresa Hennessey, Assistant Professor, has been with the Department of Orthopaedics since 2006, when she completed her fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedics. Her practice is primarily at Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City. Dr. Hennessey practices General Pediatric Orthopaedics, her areas of particular interest include clubfeet, developmental dysplasia of the hip, Perthes Disease, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, limb deformities and deficiencies. She also has experience with skeletal dysplasias, arthrogryposis, cerebral palsy, and foot deformities. Dr. Hennessey is passionate about International Medicine and involved in such work in Nicaragua, Haiti, and Ecuador.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Orthopaedics
-
Associate Professor (Clinical) |
Board Certification | American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery |
Education History
Graduate Training | Dartmouth College/The Dartmouth Institute/Tuck School of Business MHCDS Masters of Health Care Delivery Science MHCDS, 2017 |
Fellowship | University of Utah School of Medicine Pediatric Orthopedics Fellow, 2006 |
Residency | Case Western Reserve University Orthopedic Surgery Resident, 2005 |
Internship | Case Western University Hospital General Surgery Intern, 2001 |
Professional Medical | University of Colorado School of Medicine M.D., 2000 |
Undergraduate | University of Notre Dame Major: Government and International Studies, 2nd Major: French, Minor: Peace Studies B.A., 1993 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Eckhoff MD, Tadlock JC, Nicholson TC, Wells ME, Garcia EsJ, Hennessey TA (2021). Open reduction of pediatric lateral condyle fractures: a systematic review.
- Chong DY, Macwilliams BA, Hennessey TA, Teske N, Stevens PM (2015). Prospective comparison of subtalar arthroereisis with lateral column lengthening for painful flatfeet. J Pediatr Orthop B, 24(4), 345-53.
- Hyman JE, Trupia EP, Wright ML, Matsumoto H, Jo CH, Mulpuri K, Joseph B, Kim HKW, International Perthes Study Group Members (2015). Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability of the Modified Waldenstrom Classification System for Staging of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 97(8), 643-650.
- Sant DW, Margraf RL, Stevenson DA, Grossmann AH, Viskochil DH, Hanson H, Everitt MD, Rios JJ, Elefteriou F, Hennessey TA, Mao R (01/22/2015). Evaluation of somatic mutations in tibial pseudarthrosis samples in neurofibromatosis type 1. J Med Genet, 10.1136, 1-6.
- Carroll KL, Murray KA, MacLeod LM, Hennessey TA, Woiczik MR, Roach JW (2011). Measurement of the center edge angle and determination of the Severin classification using digital radiography, computer-assisted measurement tools, and a Severin algorithm: intraobserver and interobserver reliability revisited. J Pediatr Orthop, 31(4), e30-5.
Review
- Hennessey TA (2012). Congenital clubfoot and the Ponseti method: a review of recent literature. [Review]. Curr Orthop Pract, 23(5), 442-447.
Book Chapter
- Hennessey TA, Talwalkar V (March 2014). Pediatric Lower Extremity and Foot. In Lisa K. Cannada, MD (Eds.), Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: 11.
- Hennessey TA, Thompson GH (2005). The Limping Child. In Burg, Ingelfinger, Polin and Gershon (Eds.), Current Pediatric Therapy (18th edition). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Publishers.
- Wilber JH, Hennessey TA (2005). Initial Assessment and Management of the Multiple-Injured Patient with Orthopaedic Injuries. In Fonseca et al (Ed.), Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma (Third Edition). Saunders Publishers.
Case Report
Report
- Hennessey TA, Cady RB, Schwend RM (Pending). Clinical Report - The Treatment of Congenital Clubfoot, Publication Pending, 2016 in Pediatrics. This is a high level Clinical Report that has been reviewed by experts in the area of Clubfoot treatment, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is a report that clearly defines the gold standard of treatment of this condition, how the pediatric providers can be a partner in the success of the treatment.. American Academy of Pediatrics.