A physician’s playbook
Posted: March 15, 2016
After tying the game in the waning seconds of regulation time, the Frozen Tide, University of Alabama’s club hockey team, would challenge Southeastern Conference rival Vanderbilt in a pivotal overtime game.
Aneesh Garg, DO, ’11, a former team physician for the Frozen Tide, watched for signs of injuries from the penalty box. Hockey, a sport known for its fast-paced, full-contact nature, does not typically leave players unscathed. This game proved to be no different.
Over the course of the tournament, Dr. Garg treated multiple player injuries including a torn knee ligament, a broken thumb, and lacerations requiring sutures. He also had to remove a player due to concussion – one of few injuries that can disqualify an athlete from play.
“I remember this tournament with a certain appreciation,” says Dr. Garg, who at the time was completing his fellowship. “Not only did I treat quite a few players from my team, but I actually treated a player from the opposing team as well.”
Although born into a family of physicians, Dr. Garg never thought he would follow his family’s path into a career in medicine. Instead, a zest for travel, new experiences, and a passion for sports led him on a more inspired path.
Dr. Garg started working for a private school – as an admissions counselor and as a coach for the school’s baseball program, which afforded him the opportunity to travel. But it was during his time as a counselor that would change his entire career outlook. Feeling helpless after one of his advisees had a serious medical scare, he felt compelled and inspired to follow in his family’s footsteps after all.
In 2007, Dr. Garg enrolled at ATSU, and after completing his education at SOMA, he finished an internal medicine residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He sought to channel his passion for “the game” as a physician in sports medicine and matched as a non-operative orthopedic sports medicine fellow with Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala. A key player in safeguarding the health and wellness of athletes, he served as a physician for NCAA Division I and III teams as well as various professional teams.
“It never gets old walking through the tunnels of a stadium,” says Dr. Garg.
As energizing as it may be standing on the sidelines he adds that it is important not to get caught up being a fan.
“I work for the patient, protecting athletes,” Dr. Garg says. “The game can’t cloud my judgment.”
Through it all, Dr. Garg had his mind set on one important play: working with young, motivated athletes. After successfully completing his fellowship, he was happy and proud to have closed this playbook.
He says the long game days paid off one year later when he accepted a position in Chicago serving as a nonoperative orthopedic sports medicine physician. He currently works with high school and college athletes, and it’s working with the players that keeps him energized.
“It’s truly my dream job,” he says.