Benjamin Noonan, MD

Experience & Research

See all of Dr. Noonan’s publications.

Dr. Noonan is very involved in orthopedic research and serves as the director of orthopedic research for Sanford Orthopedics. He has a particular interest in orthobiologics and the potential applications of stem cells. Currently, he is a primary investigator in the MILES (multicenter trial of stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis) study, which is examining the effectiveness of both autologous and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis.

Idea of Care

I see the doctor-patient relationship as much more of a partnership than it has been in the past. Patients are much more informed of their options now and need a well-trained and honest physician to sometimes guide them through the mountain of information available to them. I see my role as providing viable options for whatever issues my patients have and then helping them to make the best informed decision they can. As a surgeon, I clearly enjoy operating, but sometimes that is not the correct choice for a given patient and issue.

Personal Interests

Dr. Noonan is married to Melanie, who is a neonatal nurse practitioner in the NICU at Sanford Health in Fargo. They have three sons, Benjamin, Daniel and Samuel, who keep them both very busy. He plays old-timer hockey and is very active in racing his 1962 Chevy II, which he has modified several times over the years since acquiring it in 1986.