Dr. Art Rettig’s Statement on Stepping Down as Head Team Physician for the Colts
As I am stepping down as Head Team Physician for the Indianapolis Colts, I would like to thank Jim Irsay and the Irsay family for their support and the opportunity to pursue a “dream job” for the past 33 years. It truly has been an honor and a privilege to work for a great franchise. Jim and his family have been most generous and I very much appreciate it. Their loyalty and integrity is reflected in the fact that many employees who came with them, from Baltimore, in 1984, still work for the Colts.
The medical care of an NFL franchise is a team effort and we have been blessed to have excellent physicians and athletic trainers over the last many years. It has been great to work with Dr. Don Shelbourne, Dr. Gary Misamore, Dr. Tom Klootwyk, Dr. Hank Feuer, Dr. Terry Horner, Dr. Doug Robertson (head medical physician), Dr. Pat Kersey, Dr. Thurmond Alvey, and Marcus McCrea. The Colts medical care will be in excellent hands as Dr. Klootwyk is taking over as Head Team Physician and Dr. Misamore will assume a larger role.
Athletic trainers do the bulk of the work caring for players and we’ve been fortunate to have had the top training staff in the NFL (in my opinion). Many thanks to former Head Athletic Trainer Hunter Smith, current Head Trainer Dave Hammer, Dave Walston, Erin Barill – now Director of Sports Medicine, Bryant Baugh, Kyle Davis, Kellen Norris, and numerous interns over the years. I can’t say enough about how well our athletic trainers work with the players on a daily basis, both using their skill in treating injuries but also in creating an environment whereby the players want to be there.
It also has been great working with multiple head coaches and assistants from Frank Kush through Ted Marchibroda, Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell to Chuck Pagano and General Managers Jim Irsay, Bill Tobin, Bill Polian, Ryan Grigson, and now Chris Ballard. It has also been a pleasure working with Pete Ward, Dan Emerson, and the rest of the front office staff.
Finally, I am looking forward to my new role as consultant to the Colts and to continue to pursue my private orthopedic practice at Methodist Sports Medicine Center.
Lastly, thanks to my family for allowing me to spend time covering the Colts for the last 33 years.
I will always be a fan – Go Colts!
– Art Rettig
Indianapolis Colts Long-Time Physician Arthur Rettig Stepping Down
Dr. Thomas Klootwyk Named Head Team Physician
INDIANAPOLIS (July 24, 2017) – The Indianapolis Colts have announced that long-time Head Team Physician Arthur C.Rettig, MD is stepping down from his role to serve as Emeritus Associate Team Physician. Rettig was the very first physician to join the Colts upon the team’s relocation to Indianapolis in 1984, and has served as Head Team Physician since 1999.
“Dr. Rettig has had an amazing 50-year career practicing sports medicine and orthopedic surgery,” said Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay. “We are extremely grateful for his outstanding service, professionalism and friendship as our team physician for more than three decades. I am also pleased he is going to continue serving the team as Emeritus Associate Team Physician.”
“Working with Dr. Rettig for so many years has provided generations of our medical staff and athletic trainers with graduate level training in sports medicine,” said Dave Hammer, Colts Head Athletic Trainer. “He combines deep wisdom with unique kindness and understanding.”
The Colts also announced that Dr. Thomas Klootwyk, who has been an associate team physician for 18 years, will step into the role as Head Team Physician. Klootwyk joined Indianapolis-based Methodist Sports Medicine following his orthopedic sports medicine training there. He has been with the Colts as a team physician and orthopedic consultant since 1999.
Methodist Sports Medicine’s Dr. Gary Misamore has also been with the Colts for 18 years and will continue his role with the team as associate team physician.
Methodist Sports Medicine Hires Neurosurgeon Joel Boaz
INDIANAPOLIS (May 5, 2017) – Dr. Joel Boaz, a board-certified neurosurgeon, has joined Methodist Sports Medicine’s remarkable team of surgeons. Dr. Boaz will be seeing concussion patients at Methodist Sports Medicine.
Growing up, Dr. Boaz lived across the street from a general surgeon. Throughout high school and college, Dr. Boaz worked with Dr. Herschel Moss in the operating room, and Dr. Moss had a major influence on Dr. Boaz becoming a surgeon.
Dr. Boaz is an Indianapolis native, completing his neurosurgery residency at Indiana University (IU) and his pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Before medical school, he attended undergraduate at Manchester University where he majored in physics.
After his two-year fellowship at Riley, he joined the faculty and practiced there for more than 25 years. Now retired from Indiana University, Dr. Boaz became interested in concussion management when his son suffered a concussion while playing rugby. Methodist Sports Medicine’s Dr. Terry Horner treated Dr. Boaz’s son during his injury.
Dr. Boaz is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He’s also board-certified in pediatric neurosurgery. He was a member of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons, and has taught for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Boaz is married and has one daughter and one son.
WNBA Legend Tamika Catchings To Serve as Keynote Speaker at 2017 Brady Sports Achievement Awards and Dinner
KEY POINTS:
- The 2017 Brady Sports Achievement Awards and Dinner, which is hosted by the Methodist Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation and the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), will be held on Thursday, April 20. Tamika Catchings, who is universally regarded as one of the greatest players in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history, will serve as the keynote speaker.
- Former Columbus North High School basketball standout Josh Speidel, who suffered severe brain injuries following a tragic car crash in February 2015, is one of four student athletes who will be presented with a Brady Comeback Award this year.
- Catchings will be awarded with the Brady Lifetime Achievement Award, along with former Purdue University and National Football League (NFL) player Leroy Keyes.
Event Information
Four brave student athletes who have distinguished themselves by overcoming adversity and injuries will be recognized at this year’s 12th Annual Brady Sports Achievement Awards and Dinner, along with the two winners of the Brady Lifetime Achievement Award.
The event, which is hosted by the Methodist Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation and the Indiana High School Athletic Association, will be held on Thursday, April 20 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, located in downtown Indianapolis next to the Embassy Suites Hotel and across from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Ballroom’s main entrance is located on Washington Street.
Indiana Fever legend and Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings will serve as the keynote speaker. The event includes an opening reception, silent auction and dinner. Physicians Rehab Solution is the presenting sponsor and WTHR-13 in Indianapolis is the media sponsor for the event. Rich Nye, sports reporter at WTHR-13, will serve as the emcee.
Brady Comeback Awards
“An athlete with every reason to quit found every reason to compete.”
Mike Armstrong, the Perry Meridian High School cross country coach, couldn’t have put it any better.
Each year, the Brady Comeback Awards recognize four high school or college student athletes – two males and two females – who have sustained injuries or faced adversity yet returned and excelled beyond expectations in their respective sport.
This year’s recipients include former Columbus North High School basketball star Josh Speidel, Franklin Community High School three-sport athlete Blake Dicken, Perry Meridian High School cross country runner Caroline Kavanaugh and Taylor University volleyball player Kayla Springer. Each athlete will be presented with a $1,000 scholarship.
Speidel had committed to the University of Vermont to play basketball before a severe car crash changed everything in February 2015. Instead of shooting hoops and dunking baskets, Speidel was learning how to walk and talk again due to a brain injury sustained in the crash. Now, more than two years after the accident left him in critical condition, Speidel is at the University of Vermont as a key member of the Catamounts basketball team. The 6-foot-7 Indiana standout travels and practices with the team thanks to the University of Vermont honoring his original scholarship and the NCAA granting Speidel an exemption from using up his eligibility while on the team.
“We’ve won 21 games in a row,” said University of Vermont basketball coach John Becker. “We knew we were going to be good, but this season is magical and I think Josh has something to do with that magic.”
Dicken, who shined on the basketball court, baseball diamond and football field all while maintaining a 3.50 GPA, also suffered from injuries sustained in a traumatic car crash. He suffered from a brain injury and neck fracture, but was back to participating in all three sports two years later.
Springer was diagnosed with a Stage 3 case of Spondylolisthesis, a severe condition in which a vertebra slides over the bone below it causing severe pain and numbness in one or both legs. After receiving the diagnosis following her commitment to play volleyball at Taylor University, she underwent a spinal fusion surgery. Just as she was regaining her strength back, she was involved in a car crash that set her back again. However, Springer is now thriving on the volleyball team and will graduate with honors and a Sports Marketing degree this spring.
Kavanaugh was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in fourth grade, but that didn’t stop the teen from discovering a passion for running. She joined the cross country team at Perry Meridian High School, but in 2015 doctors told Kavanaugh her tumor was growing. She underwent chemotherapy and later, surgery, but that didn’t stop her from running. Kavanaugh’s coaches said she never missed a workout and never once complained. She currently ranks ninth in her class of 600 students and is part of the National Honor Society and the vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Brady Lifetime Achievement Award
Also being presented at the event are the winners of the Brady Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes individuals who, through their connection to Indiana, have made outstanding contributions in the field of athletics, and have consistently demonstrated the ideals of sportsmanship over many seasons during their lives.
Indiana Fever legend and Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings is the winner of the 2017 Brady Lifetime Achievement Award. Universally regarded as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, Catchings was named the 2011 WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and led the Fever to the league championship in 2012. Catchings will also serve as the keynote speaker during the awards dinner.
Leroy Keyes, former Purdue University and National Football League (NFL) standout, will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Keyes was named the Big Ten MVP in 1967 after helping Purdue win the Rose Bowl against University of Southern California (USC). Following his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, he returned to Purdue University as an assistant football coach.
Both the Brady Comeback and Brady Lifetime Achievement Awards are named after Dr. Thomas A. Brady, known as “the father of sports medicine in Central Indiana.” Dr. Brady developed many innovative techniques for returning athletes to their sports quickly and safely, along with establishing a walk-in clinic in the basement of Methodist Hospital that eventually grew into Methodist Sports Medicine.
C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship
Deserving student athletes will also be award with the C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship at the awards banquet. The Centennial Scholarship program was initiated in 2003-04 as a part of the IHSAA’s centennial celebration. This year, the program has been renamed in tribute to former IHSAA Commissioner C. Eugene Cato, who served from 1983-95. His passion for athletics and his belief in the intrinsic value of athletic competition on the formation of a child’s character enabled him to positively impact generations of young men and women with his well-known “Firm, Fair, and Friendly” approach to caring for others. Cato passed away in October of 2008.
For more information about the 2017 Brady Awards, please click here. If you can’t make it to this year’s awards dinner, but still want to contribute, please click here.
About Methodist Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation
A separately incorporated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Methodist Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation embraces a crucial long-term role in the advancement of orthopedic medicine.
With generous contributions from donors, we strive to support and enhance the research, educational, outreach and care activities that the surgeons and physicians of Methodist Sports Medicine undertake on an ongoing basis.
Overall, the foundation’s goal is to support the practice’s mission: “Leading advances in orthopedic care and sports medicine through research and education to improve patients’ quality of life.”
Methodist Sports Medicine Retains LST Marketing as Agency of Record
INDIANAPOLIS (April 4, 2017) – Methodist Sports Medicine, Indiana’s premier provider of orthopedic services and the team physicians for the Indianapolis Colts since the professional football team arrived in Indianapolis in 1984, announced today that LST Marketing has been named its official agency of record (AOR).
By partnering with LST Marketing – a sports marketing, experiential and events firm based in Indianapolis – Methodist Sports Medicine will continue to expand and diversify within the Central Indiana community. LST Marketing will lead the sports sponsorship, account management, media, digital support, public relations, social media and marketing efforts for the orthopedic specialists.
“Methodist Sports Medicine was looking for an agency with strong brand and sponsorship experience, plus a full understanding of the sports and entertainment space, to build a relationship with and we quickly saw that LST Marketing was the perfect fit,” said Marty Rosenberg, CEO of Methodist Sports Medicine. “We’re looking forward to partnering with LST Marketing to write the next chapter in Methodist Sports Medicine’s sports sponsorship with the Indianapolis Colts and expanding health care involvement within Central Indiana.”
Not only are the elite sports medicine specialists the official physicians for the Colts, as well as more than a dozen Indiana high schools and universities including Indiana University, Purdue University, Indiana State University and the University of Indianapolis, they also perform all medical examinations for the hundreds of professional athletes involved in the National Football League (NFL) Combine. Methodist Sports Medicine has participated in this prestigious professional sporting event, which is hosted in downtown Indianapolis, since 1989.
“Although we work with thousands of student and professional athletes, it’s important for the community to know that we provide care to anyone who leads a healthy and active lifestyle,” Dr. Mark Ritter, president of Methodist Sports Medicine. “At Methodist Sports Medicine, we pride ourselves on being a high-quality provider and focus on quality, access, service and outcomes. It’s the best place to get care and the best place to give care.”
The group of highly trained orthopedic specialists also has a special partnership with Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), providing the association with medical services and partnering to put on the Brady Sport Achievement Awards Dinner annually. Methodist Sports Medicine is also the official medical provider of Grand Park, the 400-acre sports campus in Westfield, Ind. and founders of the non-profit organization – Methodist Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation.
The group’s team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons are leaders in new technologies, procedures and research, plus Methodist Sports Medicine includes a cutting-edge team of physical therapists and athletic trainers at all four of its locations in Indianapolis/Carmel, Greenwood, Avon and Tipton.
“Methodist Sports Medicine is nationally renowned and the level of care and expertise is second to none,” said John Lopes, CEO of LST Marketing. “LST Marketing is looking forward to beginning this new partnership and we’re honored to be working with them.”
Grand Park announces partnership with Methodist Sports Medicine
WESTFIELD, IN — Grand Park has announced that Methodist Sports Medicine will become the official sports medicine provider for the campus, a sports destination developed by the City of Westfield that hosts major sporting events and attracted nearly 2 million visits last year.
As part of the new partnership, all sporting events at Grand Park will be staffed by medical personnel from Methodist Sports Medicine, including athletic trainers and orthopedic physicians. Methodist Sports Medicine is best known as the official team physicians for the Indianapolis Colts, plus many other college, high school and professional teams throughout Central Indiana.
In addition, Methodist Sports Medicine will establish a permanent clinic for athletes and patients on the second floor of the Grand Park Events Center. The 3,000-square-foot facility, set to open in Spring 2017, will be staffed by athletic trainers, physical therapists and an orthopedic doctor. It will have X-ray capability and sell durable medical equipment such as crutches and braces.
“Grand Park attracts more than 750,000 visitors a year, and ensuring their health and safety on and off the field is a top priority. This partnership with Methodist Sports Medicine will not only maintain our focus on safety, but offer our athletes top quality care while at Grand Park,” said Grand Park Executive Director William Knox.
Opened in 2014, Grand Park includes 400 acres of championship-grade playing fields, including 26 baseball and softball diamonds, 31 multipurpose fields for soccer, football and lacrosse, as well as the Grand Park Events Center with three full-size indoor soccer fields. The facility attracted 1.9 million total visits in 2016, surpassing projections.
More than 300 sporting events were held at the campus last year, highlighted by the Big Ten Men’s Soccer Tournament, for a total estimated economic impact of $162.6 million.
“We are incredibly proud and humbled to have been selected by Grand Park as their sole sports medicine providers. This is already an important sports venue that will only continue to grow in its impact,” said Dr. Mark Ritter, President of Methodist Sports Medicine. “The entire team at Methodist Sports Medicine pledges to give athletes who compete at Grand Park the highest level of medical care possible. And we’re thrilled to launch a permanent orthopedic clinic to serve tournament athletes and our patients in the Westfield area.”
“The city is excited to embark on a partnership with Methodist Sports Medicine,” Westfield Mayor Andy Cook said. “When the citizens group envisioned Grand Park years ago, a quality sports medicine partnership was always a part of that vision. We are excited that Methodist Sports Medicine recognizes the need for high quality care for Grand Park athletes.”
Patient Profile: Jason Chappell
Jason Chappell has been a jock all his life – played four sports in high school and three in college, then went into coaching and eventually became Athletic Director at Liberty Christian High School in Anderson, Ind., 11 years ago. Through it all, from the takedowns in soccer to the pounding of basketball and tennis, he’s been remarkably injury-free. No broken bones, no tears, nothing worse than a few bruises and rolled ankles.
Then, when the boys’ basketball team won their regional championship in March 2016 on a last-second shot by one of his players, Coach Chappell leaped into the air to celebrate – and blew out his Achilles tendon.
“It felt like I’d been kicked in the back of the leg really hard,” he said. “I kept celebrating, sort of wobbling around.”
Luckily, the team’s athletic trainer was Rob Craig, Director of Outreach Services for Methodist Sports Medicine. He immediately noticed something was wrong with the coach. “I think your Achilles is gone,” Craig said.
Beyond the pain and frustration of the injury, Jason’s mind was already on something else: coaching his team through the rest of the state tournament. He was determined to be there for his athletes, no matter what.
After being examined by Dr. David Porter at Methodist Sports Medicine and discussing his options, Jason was fitted with a protective boot so he could continue to guide his team – which he did, all the way to the state championship.
Jason was even able to enjoy a long-planned family vacation afterward, savoring the basketball team’s triumph. Then his Achilles surgery took place after he returned. He appreciated the way Dr. Porter and the rest of his team talked him through every step of the process, allaying any concerns. At age 43, it was the first surgery of his life.
The procedure came off without a hitch, and there was no question who he would turn to for his rehabilitation: Rob Craig. Jason made a remarkable recovery under his care, and was soon walking and then running. He was even scrimmaging with his son’s basketball team by November.
Based on his own experience, Jason has referred a number of students with injuries to Methodist Sports Medicine for treatment, with similarly outstanding results. One female athlete tore her ACL in July, but was still able to make it back by the end of volleyball season, and is currently playing basketball.
Jason’s right leg isn’t quite as strong as the left, but he continues to make progress and believes that with exercise and therapy he’ll be as good as new. And he has his athletic trainer close at hand to monitor his progress.
“Rob is awesome,” Jason said. “He really takes care of us. He watches over us. If anything happens, he’s always there to pitch in. He’s the best athletic trainer in the area.”
Methodist Sports Medicine to hold free injury screenings
Methodist Sports Medicine will hold free injury screenings on Saturday, January 21 in partnership with BlueMile in Greenwood. The event is open to the public and will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the store location at the Greenwood Park Mall, 1251 U.S. Highway 31 N.
An athletic trainer will be on hand to provide a screening for injuries to anyone who comes into the sporting goods store. Participants can receive a free evaluation and, if necessary, a referral to a doctor or for further tests.
This is a new partnership between BlueMile and Methodist Sports Medicine, with additional free screenings to take place monthly.
“This is a great opportunity for people to receive a free, expert evaluation for sports injuries or any other type of impairment,” said Rob Craig, Director of Outreach Services for Methodist Sports Medicine. “We’re proud to offer this service to the Greenwood community in partnership with our friends at BlueMile.”
Methodist Sports Fellow inducted into CSU Hall of Fame
Former Methodist Sports Medicine Fellow Dr. Paul Nitz has been inducted into the Central State University Athletic Hall of Fame. The recognition goes to individual athletes, coaches, teams and contributors who made a major impact on Marauder Athletics. They keynote speaker at the event was ESPN’s Chris Broussard.
“We are proud of the inductees and appreciate all they have done for Central State University,” Vice President of Athletics Jahan Culbreath said. “The induction ceremony is an opportunity for all of our Central State alumni, friends and family to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Marauder athletics. The event is a true celebration of Central State University, its rich history, and those who have contributed to our athletic success over the years.”
Dr. Nitz has served CSU as the athletic department’s primary team physician since 1992. He was also recognized for the success of the Marauders’ fall football camp and improvements to the athletic facilities. He received his fellowship training in sports medicine at Methodist Sports Medicine.
Congratulations, Dr. Nitz!
Methodist Sports clinics closed for Thanksgiving holiday
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Methodist Sports Medicine clinics will be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-26. This includes the walk-in clinics. Please enjoy a healthy and happy holiday! We look forward to helping you with your medical needs upon resuming our normal schedule.
