Duke’s Fraser Leversedge, MD, takes care of Olympic hockey players and is here to give you gold medal care the rest of the year.

What was your role with the 2010 Vancouver Olympics?

I was a site physician for the ice hockey venue, so I treated the orthopaedic injuries of the athletes from all countries.

I had a similar role at the basketball venue at the Olympic Games in Athens -- an exciting experience filled with many inspiring moments courtside and in the medical room.

Back home at Duke, what is your specialty?

I’m a hand and arm surgeon. I treat conditions from the fingertip to the shoulder including trauma, fractures, arthritis, nerve and tendon damage, sports injuries, pediatric and congenital disorders, and microvascular reconstruction.

Has your work with athletes taught you about teamwork?

Absolutely! But really, there’s no better place to learn about teamwork than at Duke Orthopaedics. I collaborate on a daily basis with colleagues who specialize in hand and arm surgery and in other specialties from sports medicine to pediatric neurology.

Whether an injury affects an Olympic athlete, a student athlete, or a "weekend warrior," we have an extensive team of specialists to provide comprehensive care, whether it requires surgery or conservative management.

In addition to collaboration, what else do you think distinguishes Duke Orthopaedics?

At Duke patients have access to some of the best surgeons in the world and the most advanced technology and treatments. People come from all over the country to receive care here, and we take on some of the most complex cases.

At the same time, I think you’ll be impressed with our emphasis on patient-centered, compassionate care for all injuries; no matter how simple or complex the injury, we recognize the importance of helping our patients return to an active, healthy lifestyle.