Miami Dolphins Team Physicians Keep Players Healthy at Training Camp

For nearly 20 years, the Miami Dolphins have turned to orthopedic surgeon and team Medical Director, John Uribe, M.D., to keep them healthy and ready for game day.

Dr. Uribe, Chief Medical Executive of Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, along with sports medicine physician and Miami Dolphins Chief Medical Physician, Michael Swartzon, M.D., and orthopedic surgeon and Assistant Team Physician, Gautam Yagnik, M.D., work with the team throughout training camp and the regular season.

“Every day is a good opportunity for me to get to know the players a little better, my familiarization with them really helps when I evaluate them for possible concussions,” said Dr. Swartzon.

(Watch now. The Baptist Health News Team hears from John Uribe, M.D., Chief Medical Executive of Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, about his work as head team physician for the Miami Dolphins. Video by Steve Pipho.)

During training camp, Dr. Swartzon spends half his day at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University working with the players, coaches and athletic trainers to help keep the players hydrated and acclimated to the heat of South Florida. Most importantly, he tends to a player if they go down with an injury. If that happens, he can quickly assess the injury in the training room. If the injury is significant, they can transport the player to the nearby Baptist Health Medical Plaza at Davie for advanced imaging and treatment.

On South Florida’s climate: “It takes several days to a couple of weeks to acclimate to the heat,” said Dr. Swartzon. Remaining properly hydrated is key to handling the summer conditions in South Florida. During training camp, Dr. Swartzon and the team medical staff work with the coaches to allow the players to take a break to cool down in the cooling tents, take a knee and re-hydrate.

Dr. Swartzon says a good way to monitor your hydration is by the color of the urine and how often you need to use the restroom. “If your urine is dark yellow, then you are dehydrated,” Dr. Swartzon said.

The all-pro staff at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute also provide sports medicine services for the Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers and FIU Golden Panthers.  The team of physicians are dedicated to offering the same treatments and techniques to high school and college athletes, as well as the weekend warriors, as they do with professional athletes.