LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2021 — Through a collaboration designed to enhance the unparalleled medical care provided to USC student-athletes, USC announced the full integration of its athletic medicine services with Keck Medicine of USC, through USC Student Health.
The announcement was made jointly by Charles F. Zukoski, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Rod Hanners, interim chief executive officer, Keck Medicine of USC, and Mike Bohn, director of USC Athletics. The new model for athletic medicine launched July 2021.
The enhanced athletic medicine program allows USC Athletics and its student-athletes to benefit from Keck Medicine’s world-renowned medical experts and resources, combined with USC Student Health expertise in college health to provide exceptional care for student-athletes.
“Successfully navigating the COVID-19 pandemic helped us facilitate an even stronger relationship with our medical partners at USC Student Health and Keck Medicine of USC,” said Bohn. “We are so grateful to University and Keck Medicine leadership for delivering this partnership. Our vision is to be the most student-athlete centered program in the country and providing world-class health care to our student-athletes is the very foundation of that mission. The opportunity to leverage the incredible talent, technology and innovation of Keck Medicine – a top-20 U.S. News & World Report ranked academic medical center – will further enhance the USC student-athlete experience.”
Moving forward, athletic medicine services will be overseen by USC Student Health under the leadership of Sarah Van Orman, MD, chief health officer for USC Student Health. Dr. Van Orman provides leadership on campus public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and oversees comprehensive medical, mental health, prevention and education initiatives that enhance student wellness, increase access to health services, and address critical issues impacting the student population.
As part of the new program, Seth Gamradt, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with Keck Medicine and director of orthopaedic athletic medicine for USC Athletics, will transition into the role of director of athletic medicine. Dr. Gamradt specializes in the treatment of sports medicine injuries and has extensive experience working with and treating collegiate and professional athletes.
John Brodhead, MD, former associate chief medical officer for medical services at Keck Hospital of USC, will transition from his role as director of athletic medicine following his appointment as associate chair, Department of Medicine for the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Russ Romano, director of operations for athletic medicine and head athletic trainer, manages USC Athletics’ full roster of athletic trainers and physical therapists and will report directly to USC Student Health and Drs. Van Orman and Gamradt, who will direct the care administered to USC student-athletes and oversee the clinical operations of athletic medicine.
We want to thank the many talented and dedicated individuals who made this integration a reality. Our student-athletes inspire our communities, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition as we continue to advance the health and well-being of our students.