
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adults
Languages
- English
Gender
FemaleAbout Kathryn J McCarthy Mullooly
Biography/ Philosophy of Care
Kathryn J. McCarthy, M.D., is an orthopedic spine surgeon with Norton Leatherman Spine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine, Feyetteville and completed her residency at Northwestern McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois and a fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery with Norton Leatherman Spine in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. McCarthy provides a balance of the latest minimally invasive techniques with her compassion and expertise for treating degenerative conditions and trauma of the spine in adults and scoliosis in adolescents. She is an active member in several national professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Scoliosis Research Society.
Outside of work, Dr. McCarthy enjoys spending time with her husband, Bryan, and four small children. She also enjoys mentoring young professionals interested in medicine as a career and volunteering in the community.
Video
Locations
- Norton Leatherman Spine - St Matthews
- 4123 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 101, Louisville, KY 40207
- Get Directions
- phone: 502-584-7525
- fax: 502-584-6851
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Leatherman Spine Fellowship Program, Spinal Surgery, 2012
- Residency: Northwestern University, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2011
- Medical Education: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, 2006
Board Certifications
- Orthopaedic Surgery: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Insurance
- Aetna
- Aetna Better Health
- Aetna Medicare Advantage
- Ambetter from MHS
- Ambetter from WellCare of Kentucky
- Anthem
- Anthem Indiana Medicaid
- Anthem MediBlue HMO/PPO
- Anthem Pathway
- Anthem Pathway Transition
- CareSource Indiana Medicaid
- CareSource Marketplace Kentucky and Indiana
- Cigna
- CorVel
- Coventry
- Encore
- Essence
- First Health Group Corp. (First Health)
- HealthSmart
- Hosparus
- Humana Medicaid
- Humana Medicare
- Indiana Health Network
- Indiana Medicaid
- Indiana Medicare
- Kentucky Medicaid
- Kentucky Medicare
- MDwise
- MHS
- Molina Healthcare
- MultiPlan
- Passport Health Plan Kentucky MCO
- Passport Marketplace
- Provider Net/OMCA
- Sagamore
- Signature Advantage
- SIHO
- TRICARE Humana Military
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare Community Plan Indiana and Kentucky
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
- UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute
- Veterans Affairs (VA)
- WellCare
- WellCare Medicare
- WellCare of Kentucky Medicaid (Kentucky MCO)
- Wellpath
- Workers’ Compensation
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
209 ratings, 66 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/7/2026
Dr McCarthy is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
Dr McCarthy is the best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2026
She is a fantastic doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/22/2026
Dr McCarthy and staff was exceptional with my care and any questions I had. They listened to my questions and acknowledge any concerns I had since my surgery with range of motion. They took the time to explain answers and go over their recommendations for future treatment and healing. I am grateful I chose Dr McCarthy and staff for my care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2026
Dr McCarthy is the BEST
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/13/2026
She is a very good dr
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2026
She seems to really care about my medical problems and tries to find the best solution possible.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2026
Excellent Dr. Spends time with her patients going over. Important details. Good teaching skills. Personable. Very aware of my history and issues. Would recommend highly.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/3/2026
I think Dr. McCarthy is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/3/2026
Dr. Mccarthy is the most thorough Dr. I have ever seen. Always positive and concerned about my health. I wish all Dr's put as much effort in healing their patients. Dr. Mccarthy is truly the best Dr I have ever dealt with.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/21/2025
Love her!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2025
Open, honest, congenial, and knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/13/2025
Dr McCarthy restored my mobility and physical comfort level. She will forever hold a special place in my life as an exceptional surgeon, provider and personal hero
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/11/2025
Dr. McCarthy went out of her way calling other doctors for information of how to help me. She is a very positive doctor, intelligent and very very caring person
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/28/2025
I truly felt heard and cared for in all ways. Not only did she listen to my questions and concerns, I left my appointment fully trusting Dr. McCarthy had my best interests at heart. Physically and mentally.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/27/2025
Pleased with Dr. McCarthy's friendliness and professional demeanor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/20/2025
Dr spent time at every app to hear my concerns and talk thru them with me. Was able to help me get an answer for my pain& help solve my medical need.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/19/2025
Dr McCarthy is an excellent doctor and a kind and compassionate person. I feel blessed to have her as my doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/10/2025
En mi opinion la doctora es una excelente profesional ,muy preocupada por sus pacientes,muy amable, siempre dispuesta a escuchar y darle solucion a cada problema, estoy muy feliz de ser su paciente y muy agradecido porque ella me devolvio la sonrisa despues de la operacion. Gracias doctora!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/8/2025
Dr. McCarthy and staff were very friendly and easy to talk to.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2025
Very carrying and understanding. She provided me with a clear understanding of my problems going on and told me all my options. I would rate her at the top of doctors who I would choose for my spine.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/30/2025
The whole experience was wonderful. Felt heard and trusted them.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/30/2025
Dr. McCarthy is a rare find these days. She listened, went over my tests and as a team came up with a plan. She is a very smart doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/28/2025
She didn't sugarcoat the information. She was straight to the point. She gave me all the options. Extremely helpful!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/28/2025
Excellent communication with high levels of compassion and expertise.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/21/2025
Dr McCarthy is wonderful! Very happy to have her helping me through a very difficult situation.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/5/2025
Dr McCarthy is the BEST
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/5/2025
She's honest, so careing and concerned about my overall health condition physcially and mentally. She listens to me and gives me her fulll attention and makes sure I get my questions answered while keeping our visit relaxed and upbeat. I love how she keeps me involved and part of the decision making as she laying our pros and cons and together we made a plan. I am so lucky to be under her care...
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/30/2025
I feel very comfortable with her and trust what she tells me. And how she explains everything.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/29/2025
Dr. McCarthy was knowledgeable, respectful, and informative. I highly recommend her to anyone needing a spine surgeon.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/27/2025
I do not mind waiting for Dr. McCarthy. She always sits down and takes time with me. She answers all my questions . I would rather have that , than someone who rushes in and rushes out , trying to stay on time.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/18/2025
She was extremely professional, knowledgeable, attentive, & patient oriented. I was very impressed with Dr. McCarthy!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/12/2025
Dr McCarthy had very good news for me and I really appreciate the knowledge she has.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/31/2025
Love her!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2025
I really would like to Thank Mrs.McCharthyShe did a helluva job on my lower back fusion Surgery
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2025
Very friendly, knew what she was talking about, answered all of my questions ,
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/11/2025
She was awesome!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2025
Dr. McCarthy did a great job explaining the situation with my back and showing me on my X-ray.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/30/2025
Always enjoy our visits. Thanks
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/17/2025
Dr. McCarthy is a true professional. She always takes my concerns into account and provides honest and helpful feedback. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs care within her specialty.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/15/2025
She was very nice and helpful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/13/2025
Dr. McCarthy is one of the best doctors I've ever encountered, if not the best. She is so thorough, knowledgeable, and empathetic.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/13/2025
Very positive with the way she gives information
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/11/2025
She is the most caring,listening,thoughtful doctor I have ever experienced,She diagnosed me when no other doctor had and fixed me and always had my health her first priority at hand.I would highly recommend her to everyone
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/10/2025
I love Dr. McCarthy! My surgery was a huge success! Thanks to her I am no longer in any pain. I especially like seeing her for my post op visits. Sometimes I have questions that only the doctor can answer. She answers all of my questions and is NEVER condescending. She is a great doctor!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/20/2025
[...] Dr. McCarthy Always goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. She will spend however long is needed to make sure you understand what is going on with your situation. Wish there were more doctors like her out there...
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/18/2025
Dr. McCarthy is caring, compassionate & kind!She always tries to understand and help me with my constant ,and ongoing pain even after spinal fusion surgery. Dr, McCarthy is currently working with me on finding a solution for my onset nerve pain
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/17/2025
I have complete faith in Dr. McCarthy
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/17/2025
Dr. McCarthy was the best orthopedic surgeon I have ever consulted. She explained my condition thoroughly, answered all of my questions, listen to all of my concerns and gave me advice moving forward.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/12/2025
Great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/4/2025
Dr. McCarthy is truly exceptional and provides the best possible care I could hope for in every way. I am so grateful to have her looking out for me!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/3/2025
Provider apologized for delay
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/27/2025
Dr. McCarthy is a fantastic doctor that truly cares about her patience's. You never feel rushed or hurried along she was well informed on medical history.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/23/2025
Dr. McCarthy is very professional and empathetic. She treats you as a real person, listens to your concerns, and makes sure you feel comfortable with the treatment plan. I feel fully confident in her abilities to treat my spine conditions. I would strongly recommend her.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2025
Dr McCarthy and her staff are true professionals, as good as it gets
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/20/2025
Excellent Dr. McCarthy
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/9/2025
Dr. McCarty is the best and she gives me her full attention and she listens and she acts upon anything that she learns listening to me. Dr. McCarthy and staff really care about me and have my best interested
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/8/2025
Was very pleased with the time spent and attention to detail regarding my heath issues of Ms. McCarthy. She was familiar with what was going on even tho this was my first visit. I feel confident in the steps that were taken to try to identify what is going on.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/6/2025
Dr McCarthy has gone above and beyond to make sure I receive the best care possible and that I have all the information I need to make an informed decision. It's comforting to have a provider I fully trust.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/1/2025
She was excellent an addressed all of my concerns and questions. She explained the diagnosis in detail.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/1/2025
Dr. McCarthy is an excellent doctor. My daughter has a rare diagnosis and Dr. McCarthy did her own research on it and also listened to everything I shared about the condition as it related to surgery. She is a caring, dedicated and very knowledgeable doctor. I would recommend her to my family and friends.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/26/2025
Dr McCarthy is an incredible doctor. She takes the time to listen and explain everything fully. I would recommend her to anyone!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/24/2025
I just want to say that I'm healing well because of the treatment Dr. McCarthy has given me and I'm very grateful and pray that I didn't get in her nerves too much.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2025
Dr McCarthy is always compassionate and caring, no matter how busy she is.. I am so thankful that I she was the doctor available to me 2 years ago. The staff in the office has always been very friendly and kind. Thank you.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/18/2025
Excellent care, informative and willing to spend time to answer questions. Demonstrates compassion and caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2025
Dr Mccarthy did a wonderful job in explaining my issue, what options available in a very comfortable way