Sports Medicine
A History of Innovation

From its inception, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation has been a pioneer in the field of sports medicine, providing exceptional sports rehabilitation in Northern California. Fritz Roth, M.D., one of the founding partners of the original Palo Alto Medical Clinic, became the team sports medicine physician for Stanford University in the 1930s and continued in that position throughout his career. Following Dr. Roth's retirement in 1958, Fred Behling, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at the clinic, took over as Stanford's team sports medicine physician. He was assisted in that role by Robert W. Jamplis, M.D., who later became PAMF president and chief executive officer.

Gordon Campbell, M.D., joined the surgery department in 1962, and in 1965 joined Dr. Behling and Dr. Jamplis as a team physician for Stanford, a role he would play until 2001. Dr. Campbell also served as medical director for the San Francisco Giants for more than 20 years and was a team physician (together with Dr. Behling) for the San Francisco 49ers.

In 1975, a separate Department of Sports Medicine was established, one of the first of its kind in the country. During the next decade, as the demand for specialized treatment of the athlete increased, two orthopedic surgeons were added to the department – Ted Nichols and Don Bunce, a standout quarterback on the Stanford University 1972 Rose Bowl championship team.

Innovation continued throughout the 1990s. Recognizing the need to address non-orthopedic problems related to sports participation, particularly in the areas of adolescent and women's sports medicine, the department added Sally Harris, M.D. As more professional teams seeking expert care emerged in the Bay Area, Warren King, M.D., who had completed a sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlin-Jobe Clinic in Southern California, joined the staff. Amol Saxena, DPM, a podiatrist specializing in foot care for athletes, brought additional expertise.

Subsequently, the department added two experienced physicians: Colin Eakin, M.D., who completed his training at the prestigious Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo., and Frank Chen, M.D., who has experience in several aspects of sports medicine, including shoulder/elbow reconstructive surgery.

Each talented sports medicine physician at Palo Alto Medical Foundation strives to provide you with the exceptional care you need to get back in the game.

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