Eric McCarty,
M.D.
Chief of Sports Medicine & Shoulder Surgery
Dr. McCarty is a board-certified Orthopaedic surgeon and a
fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist with a long-time
interest in sports medicine and athletics. His passion for
treating the active individual stems from his playing days as a
linebacker at C.U. where he earned all conference honors. In
addition to his duties as head team physician for the University
of Colorado and University of Denver, Dr. McCarty’s
specialized practice also involves the care of recreational and
highly competitive athletes from the community. His clinical
expertise includes arthroscopic and open reconstructive surgery
of the knee, shoulder and elbow.
Medical Degree: University of Colorado
Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Fellowship: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Deborah Saint-Phard, M.D.
Director, CU Women's Sports Medicine Program
UCH Associate Professor
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Dr. Saint-Phard is board certified in
physical medicine and rehabilitation, electrodiagnostic medicine
and pain medicine. As the director of CU Women's Sports Medicine,
her clinical interests are providing expert sports and spine care
to active and athletic women and girls. She also conducts
research on the self-concept of female athletes and stress
fractures in female athletes. In 2007, 2008, and 2009, Dr.
Saint-Phard was named one of the Best Doctors in America® by
Best Doctors, Inc.®. Dr. Saint-Phard is also a former elite
athlete. She competed in the shot put at the 1987 World
Championships in Rome, Italy and in the 1988 Olympic Games in
Seoul, Korea. She was ranked Top 20 in the world.
Medical Degree: Temple University
Residency: University of Colorado
Fellowship: Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine
Michelle Wolcott, M.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Wolcott is a Board Certified
Orthopaedic Surgeon who is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine,
with expertise in treatment of complex knee, ankle and shoulder
problems. An active marathon runner, she also has a special
interest in runner's injuries, pediatric sports medicine and
women's sports medicine. Dr. Wolcott participates in community
education regarding prevention of injuries and proper training
techniques. She is dedicated to returning competitive and
recreational athletes to their previous level of activity, and
serves as a team physician for the University of Colorado
Buffaloes and the University of Denver Pioneers.
Medical Degree:
Georgetown University
Residency: Loyola University
Fellowship: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Sourav Poddar, M.D., CAQSM
Associate Professor
Dr. Poddar is board certified in family medicine and is fellowship trained and board certified in sports medicine. As a former collegiate soccer player who continues to play the game, Dr. Poddar brings his athletic background to work. He specializes in the non operative management of orthopaedic injuries, as well as exercise prescription, heat illness and concussion management. Dr. Poddar is the head medical team physician for the Colorado Buffaloes and also serves as regional consultant for the San Francisco Giants.
Medical Degree: University of Texas-Southwestern
Residency: University of Colorado
Fellowship: University of Colorado
William Sullivan, M.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Sullivan is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. He
currently serves as the medical student elective director and Spine Center co-fellowship director at the University of Colorado
School of Medicine. Prior to relocating to Colorado, he worked at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Center for Spine,
Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation. Dr. Sullivan has trained numerous fellows in sports medicine and spine care techniques,
including spinal injections.
Medical Degree: Emory University School of
Medicine
Residency: University of Colorado
Armando Vidal, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Vidal is a board-certified
orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in sports medicine
and shoulder surgery. He is an avid cyclist and runner and enjoys
taking care of both competitive and recreational athletes in
Denver and Boulder. His clinical expertise includes open and
arthroscopic surgery of simple and complex knee, shoulder, hip
and elbow disorders. Dr. Vidal serves as a team physician for the
University of Colorado and University of Denver athletic
programs.
Medical Degree:
University of Miami School of Medicine
Residency: Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill
Medical College of Cornell University
Fellowship: University of Pittsburgh
Aaron Povance,M.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Aaron Provance is the co-director of
the Sports Medicine Program at The Children’s Hospital, and
also serves as an assistant professor in the Department of
Orthopaedics at the University of Colorado. Dr. Provance is board
certified in pediatrics and sports medicine. His specialties
include orthopaedic and medical conditions in the young athlete,
as well as a special interest in concussions in sports.
Medical Degree: West Virginia University
Residency: West Virginia University
Fellowship: Primary Care Sports Medicine,University of Colorado SOM
Venu Akuthota, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Akuthota serves as the medical director of
the Spine Center at University of Colorado Hospital and is
responsible for the Runners' Clinic at the University Sports
Medicine Center. He is board certified in electrodiagnostic
medicine, pain medicine, and physical medicine and
rehabilitation. Dr. Akuthota's clinical interests include
prevention and management of the neck, lower back pain and
running injuries.
Medical Degree: Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Sports and Spine Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago
Rachel Coel, M.D., Ph.D., FAAP
Assistant Professor
Dr. Coel is board-certified in pediatrics
and fellowship-trained and board-certified in sports medicine.
She has an interest in medical education (i.e. teaching medical
students, residents, and fellows, etc.) and an interest in
clinical research, including her project on improving patient
statisfaction. On a personal level, she enjoys outdoor sports and
fitness, including hiking, triathalons, skiing, swimming, and
surfing.
Medical Degree: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Residency: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Fellowship: Primary Care Sports Medicine, University of Colorado SOM
Rachel Brakke, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Brakke specializes in the non-operative management of sports and musculoskeletal injuries,
as well as back and neck pain including interventional spine
procedures and electrodiagnostic testing. Her areas of clinical
and research interest including: core strengthening, spine care,
the aging athlete, high altitude cerebral edema, musculoskeletal
ultrasound, and sports injuries. As a collegiate level
cross-country runner and softball pitcher, she has a strong
personal and academic interest in sports.
Medical Degree: University of Texas Medical Branch
Residency: University of Washington
Fellowship: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado SOM
Jonathan Bravman, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Bravman treats a wide variety of sports, shoulder, knee and ankle conditions, with prior
experience as a team physician for the New England Patriots,
Boston Red Sox, New England Revolution and Stanley Cup Champion
Boston Bruins, in addition to several college and high school
teams. Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery
at Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital, his research interests
have focused on clavicle fracture fixation, biomechanics of ACL
and rotator cuff fixation, shoulder instability, as well as
injuries in skeletally immature athletes, which has resulted in
multiple national level presentations and publications.
Medical Degree: UMNDJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers
Residency: University of Colorado
Fellowship: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital
Ashley Chrisman, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Ashley Chrisman is a Physician Assistant specializing in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. She works in the
operating room assisting CU Sports Medicine surgeons in addition
to diagnosing and treating patients in the clinic at both Denver
and Boulder locations. Ashley received her Masters of Physician
Assistant Studies graduate degree from the University of Nebraska
Medical Center in Omaha. As an undergraduate, she attended the
University of Nebraska in Lincoln majoring in Exercise Science
and competed as a heptathlete on the track and field team. Ashley
earned multiple All-American, Academic All-American, and Big 12
Conference honors highlighted by capturing the 2005 NCAA National
Championship in the pentathlon. Her clinical interests include
diagnosis and treatment of sports related injury with an emphasis
on a safe and successful return to activity.
Masters of Physician Assistant Studies: Univ. of Nebraska Med Center
NCCPA Certification: PA-C, January 2011
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
John C. Hill, D.O., FAAFP, FACSM
Associate Professor, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
Dr. Hill is a board certified family physician with sub-specialty boards in primary care sports
medicine. His clinical areas of interest revolve around
Women’s Health and Wellness. He has delivered over 1000
babies and has in depth knowledge in prenatal care and exercise
as it relates to pregnancy. He is the team physician at the
University of Denver . He is a popular speaker nationally in the
areas of sports medicine and obstetrics.
Medical Degree: Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Residency: Truman Medical Center-East, University of Missouri at Kansas City
Fellowship: University of Colorado Denver
Iñigo San Millán, Ph.D.
Director, Excercise Physiology Lab
Dr. San Millán is an exercise physiologist from Basque Country, Spain. He has vast experience
working with professional athletes and teams. He worked with and
advised 6 Pro Tour cycling teams, 1 Tour de France winner and
several podium finishers, world class triathletes, runners,
rowers, swimmers, professional basketball players and many other
athletes and teams. He also advised and trained coaches and
physiologists worldwide. At present, Dr. San Millán is
directing our Exercise Physiology and Human Performance lab
where, with the most advanced equipment, he is applying the
latest testing protocols, approaches and methods to a wide
variety of athletes of any level. He is also applying new
scientific methods in lactate metabolism, substrate utilization,
and overtraining and obesity prevention programs. Dr. San
Millán obtained his bachelor degree from Colorado State
University and his Doctorate from the University of the Basque
Country, Spain.
Stephanie Chu, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Chu's areas of special interest
include dance medicine, gymnastics and the female athlete, which
stems from growing up involved in ballet and gymnastics.
Currently she serves as Team Physician for the University of
Colorado Buffaloes. She is also an active member of the Education
Committee of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
She enjoys running and taking in all sporting events. Outside of
sports she enjoys reading, music, and the company of friends and
family and traveling.
Medical Degree: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Connecticut
Fellowship: Sports Medicine, University of Connecticut
Joy Anderson, PT, ATC, CSCS
Physical Therapist & Certified Athletic Trainer
Joy is a licensed physical therapist,
certified athletic trainer, and certified strength and
conditioning specialist. She has served as a trainer for the
United States Figure Skating Association. Joy’s clinical
interests include adolescent sports medicine, strength and
conditioning for youth athletes and orthopedic sports medicine.
Her research interests are ACL prevention, rehabilitation, return
to play programs and adolescent sports medicine. Joy attended the
University of Nebraska.
Laura King, MS, ATC, CSCS
Certified Athletic Trainer
Laura joined the University Sports Medicine Center staff in 2006. After obtaining her Bachelors
Degree from the University of New Hampshire and her Masters
Degree from Washington State University, she worked as a
collegiate athletic trainer for 11 years at the University of
Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin and the University of
Denver. Laura looks forward to helping patients return to a high
level of activity.
Denise Knutson, MA, MEd, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer, Medical Assistant
Denise is a Certified Athletic Trainer, from the Chicago, Illinois area. Denise graduated from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. She also attended the
University of Missouri at Columbia, where she worked as a
graduate assistant and obtained her Master’s degree. Denise
has worked with athletes and individuals of all ages and
abilities, including coordinating a high school and community
outreach program in the Boulder, Colorado area.
Andrea Lenz, MS, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
Andrea is a certified athletic trainer. Originally from the Midwest, Andrea attended the University of
Iowa, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in exercise science and athletic training.
Andrea also has recently become certified as a Sportsmetrics™ instructor and offers ACL prevention
training.
Doug Jowdy, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Sports Psychologist
Dr. Jowdy is a licensed psychologist in Colorado and has worked for the U.S. Olympic Committee serving as
the team psychologist for U.S. Speed Skating. He assisted the
coaches and athletes prepare for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in
Salt Lake City, U.T. Prior to working for the Olympic Committee,
he was a Co-Director of a Mental Health Treatment Program at
Denver Health Medical Center. Dr. Jowdy was also employed as the
Department Head of the Exercise/Sport Psychology Programs at
Argosy University in Phoenix, AZ. He has coached and played ice
hockey at the college level.
His areas of specialization are: performance enhancement,
coaching education, coach and athlete relationship development,
coping with the emotional aspects of injury rehabilitation and
working with team dynamics. Dr. Jowdy also specializes in the
treatment of some medical conditions, anxiety disorders,
depression, weight normalization and problems with alcohol/drug
use.
Master’s Degree: Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D.: Virginia Commonwealth University
Clinical Internship: Denver Health Medical Center
Postdoctoral Training: Stanford University Medical School
Nancy Pudwill
Nutritionist
Nancy has been a registered dietitian in private practice since 1986. She earned her undergraduate degree
at Kansas State University and did her internship at Kansas University Medical Center. Nancy is a member of the American
Dietetic Association and the Colorado Dietetic Association and works with athletes at the University of Denver and throughout
Colorado.