
Andrew Rizza, MS, ATC, LAT, PTA
Creator and Host
Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast was created to discuss the ever-changing landscape in healthcare, physical therapy, athletic training and sports science. Each week we will discuss the barriers that healthcare professionals and the consumer face and how we as individuals can collaborate to make the listeners better understand the industry for a better patient and athlete experience.

Cameron Roth, MD, MHS
Co- Host
Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon
OrthoArizona
Dr Roth is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, and upper extremity surgery. He completed his Orthopaedic surgical residency at the University of Chicago, as well as additional fellowship subspeciality training in upper extremity surgery at Harvard and an international fellowship in complex shoulder reconstruction in Bern, Switzerland. He is a peer-reviewer for The Journal of Hand Surgery and also serves as a consultant to the MLB’s Chicago White Sox.
Episodes

Monday Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Hey everybody, welcome back to episode nine, part two of Behind the Sports Medicine podcast. In this episode, Anthony and I talk about the challenges of managing sleep patterns in athletes, especially when they're traveling across different time zones. We then go on to talk about how we can use tracking systems like whoop and or a ring to help monitor those sleep patterns and other metrics for performance. We then discuss the role of team physicians and how that is important in our ability to be able to come to certain decision -making when it comes to returning athletes to activity.
We also discuss about how mentorship is very important in our field of athletic training and how we develop as professionals. We then close out to talk about advising young professionals to be patient. They need to be open -minded and willing to learn in order to succeed in this profession. So thank you all for tuning in and I hope you enjoy this episode.

Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
In this episode of Behind the Sports Medicine podcast, host Andrew Rizza interviews Anthony Cerundolo, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Boston Red Sox. They discuss the role of athletic trainers in professional baseball and the importance of building relationships with athletes. They also touch on the use of sports science and analytics in player rehabilitation and performance optimization. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing player recovery and sleep patterns, as well as the impact of nutrition and alcohol on athlete performance.
Takeaways
1. Building relationships with athletes is crucial in athletic training.
2. Sports science and analytics play a significant role in player rehabilitation and performance optimization.
3. Managing player recovery and sleep patterns is essential for optimal performance.
4. Nutrition and alcohol consumption can impact athlete performance.
If you enjoyed the content from today's episode give us a like, leave a comment and share on social media. You can find all of our episodes on apple, spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also follow us on instagram @ behind sports med podcast, on X @ ajrsportssci or check out our websites at ajrsportsscience.podbean.com and @ AJRsportsscience.com. You can also subscribe to our youtube channel at @ajr_sports_science stay tuned for our next episode.

Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Episode 8 Part 2
Closing out our conversation, Lee and I cover various topics related to the field of sports medicine and physical therapy. We discuss the importance of proving one's worth and gaining experience in order to advance in the field. Lee and I also touch on the challenges of reimbursement and the need for a value-based payment structure. The importance of mentorship and providing quality care to patients is emphasized. We close out the conversation and reflect on our own career paths and offer advice to young therapists and students pursuing a career in sports medicine.
Takeaways
1. Proving one's worth and gaining experience is crucial for advancement in the field of sports medicine and physical therapy.
2. The reimbursement system in healthcare needs to catch up with the changing landscape and the value provided by therapists.
3. Mentorship plays a vital role in the development of young therapists and students.
4. Providing quality care and making patients feel valued is essential for success in the field.
5. Young therapists and students should have realistic expectations about salary and focus on the passion and impact they can make in their careers.

Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Summary
In this episode of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast, host Andrew Rizza interviews Dr. Lee Rielly, a licensed physical therapist and clinical director at Willis-Knighton Healthcare Systems in Louisiana. They discuss topics such as career development, mentorship, reimbursement in healthcare, and the importance of providing quality care. They also touch on the challenges of reimbursement in the healthcare industry and the importance of building a sense of community within the organization. Dr. Rielly shares his experience in managing an interdisciplinary team and the role of athletic trainers in providing direct access to physical therapy services. They also discuss the future of small private practices in the changing healthcare landscape.
Takeaways
1. Career development and mentorship are important aspects of professional growth in the healthcare industry.
2. Reimbursement in the healthcare industry can be challenging, and small private practices may struggle to survive.
3. Building a sense of community within an organization is crucial for providing quality care.
4. Athletic trainers play a vital role in providing direct access to physical therapy services.
The future of small private practices may involve transitioning to a cash-based model or leveraging social media for marketing and promotion.

Monday Jul 08, 2024
Monday Jul 08, 2024
The conversation revolves around the topic of education and communication in the field of sports medicine. Sharon and I discuss the importance of educating younger therapists and building their confidence and communication skills. We then discuss and emphasize the need for therapists to believe in the care they provide and effectively communicate its importance to patients. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of payer mix and the need for PTs to demonstrate the value of their services. We then go on to discuss the future of ATI and their plans for growth, including investments in digital front-end, hybrid models of care, and AI tools. We close out the conversation by highlighting the importance of empathy and patient-centered care in healthcare leadership.
Takeaways
- Educating and building the confidence and communication skills of younger therapists is crucial in the field of sports medicine.
- Therapists need to believe in the care they provide and effectively communicate its importance to patients
- Demonstrating the value of physical therapy services is essential in addressing payer mix challenges.
- ATI is focused on growth and plans to invest in digital front-end, hybrid models of care, and AI tools.
- Empathy and patient-centered care are important qualities in healthcare leadership.

Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
In this episode of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast, host Andrew Rizza interviews Sharon Vitti, CEO of ATI Physical Therapy. They discuss ATI as a company, Sharon's journey to becoming CEO, and the landscape of the physical therapy healthcare system. They also touch on the importance of education and communication in sports medicine and physical therapy, the challenges of payor mix and demonstrating the value of PT services, the future of ATI and investment in digital front hybrid models of care, and the importance of empathy and patient-centered care.
Takeaways
- ATI Physical Therapy is a purpose-driven organization that focuses on providing holistic care and helping patients achieve their goals.
- Access to care is important and should be easy, convenient, and affordable for patient
- There is a need to educate patients and the healthcare industry about the value of physical therapy and its role in rehabilitation, prevention, and overall musculoskeletal care.
- ATI Physical Therapy differentiates itself through its national practice model, standardized clinical guidelines, team-based care, and focus on outcomes and research.
- The future of ATI includes investment in digital tools, telehealth, and hybrid models of care to improve patient experience and outcomes.
- Empathy and patient-centered care are key components of ATI's approach to healthcare.

Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Dr. David Ruchelsman, a hand and upper limb surgeon, discusses his journey into medicine and the specialized care his practice provides. He emphasizes the importance of exposing oneself to different fields within medicine to figure out what one wants to do. Dr. Ruchelsman highlights the team approach in sports medicine, where athletic trainers, physical therapists, and surgeons work together to provide comprehensive care. He also discusses common upper extremity injuries, surgical procedures, and the importance of communication between surgeons and therapists. Dr. Ruchelsman encourages aspiring physicians to pursue medicine if they are inspired by it and emphasizes the value of being well-rounded.
Takeaways
1. Expose yourself to different fields within medicine to figure out what you want to do.
2. In sports medicine, a team approach involving athletic trainers, physical therapists, and surgeons is crucial for comprehensive care.
3. Common upper extremity injuries include thumb injuries, wrist fractures, and finger sprains.
4. Surgical procedures for upper extremity injuries can vary depending on the injury and the athlete's needs.
5. Communication between surgeons and therapists is essential for optimal patient care.
6. Aspiring physicians should pursue medicine if they are inspired by it, as there are various career paths within the field.

Monday May 27, 2024
Monday May 27, 2024
Summary
The conversation between Andrew Rizza and Dr. Thomas Gill focused on the importance of mental aspects in sports medicine and the role of mentorship in shaping a successful career. They discussed the need to fix the mental aspect of athletes and ensure their head is back in the game. They emphasized the importance of clear expectations and communication with young athletes to shape them as individuals and help them manage their injuries. They also discussed the evolution of concussion management in sports and the role of neurocognitive testing. Dr. Gill shared his experiences working with professional athletes and the different mentalities in football, hockey, and baseball. They also discussed the value of mentorship and the need for ongoing learning and growth in the field of sports medicine.