Lead Medical Team Physician

Houston, TX, United States

Houston Texans & Astros as part of Houston Methodist

Lead Medical Team Physician

Purpose of the Position

Houston Methodist, alongside the Houston Texans and Houston Astros, seek a dynamic, innovative, and experienced Medical, Sports Medicine Physician to join the team. This role is pivotal in the organization's comprehensive medical care model, providing support to players, coaches, staff, and their families. The ideal candidate will play a key role in optimizing performance, promoting overall health, and mitigating injury risks. Collaboration and critical thinking are essential, as the Lead Medical Team Physician will be responsible for accurate diagnoses, effective treatment, and timely interventions for players, families, coaches, and staff.

This presents an exciting opportunity to work with two esteemed professional organizations, alongside some of the world's finest athletes, all while being part of the #1 hospital in Texas (according to U.S. News & World Report) and the world's largest medical campus, Texas Medical Center (TMC). The Lead Medical Team Physician will collaborate with the Texans and Astros' Sports Performance Teams, a diverse group of experts including strength coaches, physical therapists, trainers, orthopedic surgeons, and more. Additionally, the Lead Medical Team Physician will have the opportunity to build a thriving clinical practice in the community, supported by Houston Methodist. Balancing the demands of this leadership role with the individual's clinical practice, the Lead Medical Team Physician will play a pivotal role in shaping the health and performance outcomes of these premier organizations, athletes, and the community alike.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the Lead Medical Team Physician for the Texans/Astros and practicing physician with Houston Methodist which includes:

Overall Responsibilities

•Willing to act as Primary Medical contact for all players, coaches, staff, and their families for the teams.

•Be part of a team of Allied Health Care Professionals consisting of orthopedic surgeons, family medicine, primary care and internal medicine physicians, radiologists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, mental health clinicians, and an assortment of allied healthcare consultants.

•Participate in other team activities as directed by the organization.

•Education of Sports Medicine staff, players, and coaches on injury and illness prevention.

•Develop agreed upon best practice protocols for common interventions and medications for acute, acute on chronic, and chronic injuries.

•Management of medical second opinion specialists, imaging (re-reads and reporting), and other medical requirements (e.g., COVID).

•Direct involvement with Draft and Free Agency recruiting processes, including coordination of fellows, timely medical intel gathering, reading and interpreting images, and medical grading.

•Participation in research and development activities.

•Provide guidance on soft tissue injuries, bone health, infections, concussions, and other medical issues.

•Be the key resource for helping navigate and expedite the complex, world-class resources of the Houston Methodist medical network.

Houston Texans

•Participate in a team of physicians that cover a 12-month player care model, including but not limited to: free agency, Draft, off-season player care, in-season and off-season physicals, off-season program, OTAs, Rookie/Veteran mini-camp, training camp and the regular season.

•Provide daily in-person availability for injury or illness assessment and follow-ups, and emergency care.

•Attend all games, home and away.

•Be available daily during training camp.

•Attend post-game injury clinic (day after game).

•Provide in-season Athletic Training Room coverage with goal of 1-2 mornings per week.

Houston Astros

•Attend all home games and be available for pre-game evaluations and/or game coverage.

•Be available for Telemedicine visits at all times.

•Attend Spring Training in West Palm Beach for a cumulative total of 2 weeks (Pre-season Physical Exams, Game Coverage, Evaluations).

•Serve as the Lead Physician for the network of minor league team physicians and affiliates, including the Dominican Republic.

•Refer players, staff, and families to specialists within Houston Methodist's network and appropriate specialists throughout the country.

•Oversee the Draft Medical Review and Draft Physical Process, including Combine coverage.

•Attend MLB Winter Meetings including MLB Team Physicians meetings.

•Provide medical oversight as needed for free agency, trade, and player acquisition player medical reviews.

Houston Methodist

•Offer evaluation and treatment of patients while providing direct patient care in the Houston Methodist clinic and/or in association with coverage of other sports teams.

•Be committed to developing a thriving clinical practice and working in a collaborative team environment.

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

•A medical degree (MD or DO) is required.

•Board Certification and completion of residency training in Internal Medicine or Primary Care Sports Medicine.

•Fellowship trained in Primary Care Sports Medicine.

•Certification of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Sports Medicine.

•Minimum of 5 years of experience (post fellowship) of clinical practice; experience working with a professional or large collegiate sports team with knowledge of professional sports rules and player health and safety protocols is preferred.

•Active member of one of the following sports medicine societies: AMSSM, ACSM, AOASM, AOSSM, AANA, CASEM, ISAKOS.

•Experience diagnosing and managing concussion protocols.

•Current or ability to get full unrestricted medical license for the State of Texas.

•Eligible to be credentialed as an NFL/MLB team physician.

•Foster a whole-athlete approach to the care of the athletes, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team including other healthcare providers and specialists to provide optimal care for each individual athlete.

•Innovative and creative thinker with strong conceptual and problem-solving skills.

•Superb research and counseling skills.

•Exhibits a team player mentality.

•Ability to communicate and utilize technology to ensure efficient and effective collaboration with the Sports Performance Team.

•Passionate about enhancing the self-efficacy of athletes with a passion for sports.

•Outstanding soft skills and bedside manner to interact effectively and harmoniously with people and patients: humble, good teammate, and outstanding communicator.

•Effectively handles crises, emergencies, and pressure.

•Ability to be adaptive and flexible.

•Experience and interest in modern diagnostic treatment techniques (i.e. ultrasound, etc.).

•Interest in Information Systems, including on-line databases and patient management systems, dashboards, reports, image viewers, etc.

•Interest in being part of the Methodist Physician Group, large multi-specialty physician practice with over 1,100 doctors.

•Strong networker who can quickly assimilate into a complex medical network, organizing key people and resources in an incredibly fast paced, high-demand environment.

The Organization

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are the youngest franchise in the NFL, becoming the league's 32nd franchise during the 2002 season. They are Houston's second NFL franchise after the Oilers who played in Houston from 1960-1996 before moving to Tennessee, becoming the Tennessee Titans.

With a vibrant color scheme of Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red, and Liberty White, they've electrified fans in the iconic NRG Stadium, their home turf boasting a retractable roof and seating for over 70,000. Over the years, luminaries like J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson have left an indelible mark, guiding the team to playoff appearances and memorable gridiron clashes.

The Texans, whose stated mission is "to create and maintain the most respected and most valuable professional sports franchise in the world," have three primary objectives: win championships, create memorable experiences for their fans and partners, and do great things in the Houston community.

The Houston Texans have recently been ranked as the team best positioned for the future building upon a banner year with the organization for 2023 NFL season. Behind the 2023 Rookie of the Year Quarterback C.J. Stroud, and rising star Head Coach DeMeco Ryans, the organization capped off the 2023 NFL season with 11 wins, an AFC South Championship, and a Wild Card Playoff win, undoubtedly having one of the brightest futures in the league.

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros were established in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s and later rebranded as the Astros in 1965. The team competes in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) West division.

The Astros have a rich history, with notable moments including their inaugural game in the iconic Astrodome in 1965 and their first World Series appearance in 2005. They won their first World Series championship in 2017 and secured a second title in 2022.

Throughout their history, the Astros have seen legendary players like Jimmy Wynn, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell, and have experienced periods of success, including multiple division championships and playoff appearances.

Under current ownership led by Jim Crane, the Astros have built a strong organization, focusing on advanced player development and analytics. They have become known for their dominant roster, highlighted by stars like Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander, and Alex Bregman.

Overall, the Houston Astros are a storied franchise with a passionate fan base and a strong legacy of success in Major League Baseball.

Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist ($6.3B) is comprised of a leading academic medical center in the Texas Medical Center and seven community hospitals serving the Greater Houston area. Each hospital is staffed by committed personnel who exemplify its I CARE values: integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence. Houston Methodist's highest priorities are patient safety, quality, service, and innovation.

Houston Methodist Hospital, the system's flagship, is consistently listed among U.S. News & World Report's best hospitals and it extends that same level of quality care across the system. Other available centers include Houston Methodist Emergency Care Centers, Houston Methodist Imaging Centers, Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers, and Houston Methodist Outpatient Centers.

2023 Key Facts / Statistics

• An academic research institute with 8 hospitals and a comprehensive residency program

•2,711 operating beds

•2,091,208 outpatient visits

•141,811 admissions

•32,058 employees

•5,069 affiliated physicians

•More than 20 orthopedic and sports medicine locations offering physical and occupational therapy across the Greater Houston area

•Affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

Houston Methodist Physician Organization

The Houston Methodist Physician Organization is comprised of approximately 1,100 employed physicians and approximately 5,000 support employees. Of those, over 900 are specialists, and the remaining are primary care physicians. The organization's revenues are currently $700 million annually, with projections of 10% growth year over year for the next five years to meet the needs of the growing population of Houston, the changing demographic of physicians, and marketplace preferences. Texas is a Corporate Practice of Medicine state. As such, the Physician Organization was established as a non-profit corporation divided into the Specialty Physician and Primary Care Groups. Dr. Shlomit Schaal serves as Chair of the Board for both entities, and Houston Methodist owns the entity itself. All financials are consolidated, and physicians practicing medicine at Houston Methodist are employed in one of the two groups. Clinical decision-making is driven by the Chairs of Houston Methodist's tertiary care setting, Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group comprises more than 900 doctors committed to delivering personalized, patient-focused care to the Houston community and beyond. With a priority to ensure every patient is heard and supported throughout his or her experience, patients who choose the Specialty Physician Group also benefit from a coordinated-care approach. This places a wealth of highly qualified specialists and resources at their service, all committed to the high standard of care patients have come to expect from Houston Methodist.

Houston Methodist Clinical Training and Innovation

Houston Methodist is a nationally recognized leader in providing advanced medical education. Healthcare professionals receive training in their respective fields, while taking full advantage of both the Texas Medical Center location, the largest medical center in the world, and the organization's academic affiliations with top-ranked Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. This network extends around the world to include international partners in providing innovative health and research training programs. As part of its commitment to educate the future leaders of medicine, Houston Methodist offers grand rounds, expansive continuing medical education offerings, and MITIE or virtual hospital and surgical training center.

Houston Methodist Center for Innovation is the research-and-development engine for technology-enabled transformation at the intersection of business, clinical, and new technologies. Key areas include Ambient Intelligence, Call Center Automation, Care Redesign, Predictive and Proactive Care with AI, Remote Patient Monitoring, and Smart Hospital Rooms

Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education - MITIESM is an innovative virtual hospital and hands-on clinical training facility for healthcare professionals seeking to maintain excellent procedural skills and acquire new proficiencies.

Texas Medical Center

The Texas Medical Center (TMC) stands as the largest medical complex globally, situated in Houston, Texas. This sprawling campus hosts a network of leading hospitals, research institutions, and academic centers, all dedicated to advancing healthcare innovation, education, and patient care. With over 50 member institutions, TMC serves as a hub for cutting-edge medical research, clinical trials, and patient treatment. Beyond its medical prowess, TMC fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders, driving breakthrough discoveries and medical advancements. It's a beacon of excellence in healthcare, drawing patients and professionals from around the world in pursuit of top-tier medical expertise and innovative care.

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.