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News — ANN ARBOR, MI – University of Michigan Health is launching an aggressive vision for integrated sports medicine capabilities across the state and has recruited a nationally renowned expert to lead the efforts.

Asheesh Bedi, M.D., will return to U-M Health March 1 to lead sports medicine clinical programs across Michigan, including at the university’s academic medical center as well as at UM Health-Sparrow and UM Health-West.

Bedi will be a professor of orthopedic surgery and the head orthopedic team physician for Michigan Athletics. He is also the medical director for the National Basketball Players Association and a consultant for the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Bedi is transitioning from the role of head orthopedic team physician for the NFL’s Chicago Bears and the vice chair for research and innovation and director of sports medicine and the joint preservation program at the NorthShore/Endeavor Health Orthopedic and Spine Institute.

During his previous tenure at U-M, Bedi was the chief of sports medicine and shoulder surgery and also served roles as head orthopedic team physician for University of Michigan Athletics and head orthopedic team physician and medical director for the Detroit Lions.

“I am thrilled by the opportunity to return to Ann Arbor and be part of this exciting collaborative work to provide top-tier medical care, rehabilitation, and preventative services for athletes across the state,” Bedi says.

“Our vision is to be the destination for athletes of all levels seeking comprehensive care for sports medicine and musculoskeletal injuries. We intend to bring together the incredible talented faculty and resources across all our campuses to lead the way in research, innovation, and implementation of technologies to prevent injury, expedite recovery, and preserve function.”

U-M Health and its two regional health systems perform more than 17,000 orthopedic procedures at seven hospitals and 30 outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine clinics. Bedi and his team will align and integrate these programs, expanding access to advanced care, closer to home for individuals and families across the state.

“With the return of a nationally-recognized sports medicine leader, U-M Health is establishing the foundation for a unified, statewide sports medicine program,” said David Miller, M.D., president of University of Michigan Health.

“We are excited to work with our colleagues and partners around the state on this shared vision of offering elite sports medicine specialty services statewide, closer to home than ever before.”

Michelle Caird, M.D., chair of Michigan Medicine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery, said this new effort will improve access to world class sports medicine care.

“U-M Health aims to bring our sports medicine care to athletes across the state, from the little leagues to the professional level as well as other orthopedic patients,” Caird said.

“Our goal is to expand our premier specialty services provided by our sports medicine and orthopedic surgery teams, as well as U-M Health partners in radiology and physical medicine and rehabilitation, to ensure patients have the best follow through on care.”