The Nebraska Medicine Sports Medicine program delivers expert care to athletes at every level across the state.

The program partners with the Huskers, Union Omaha soccer, LOVB Nebraska volleyball, local high schools, and many club, youth, and other sports organizations.

“With our partnerships and their impact, we have the largest sports medicine program in the state,” says Rusty McKune, certified athletic trainer (ATC), ambulatory supervisor for the Sports Medicine program.

Orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine primary care physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other specialists care for athletes. According to orthopaedic surgeon Matthew Tao, MD, their success comes from strong communication and teamwork.

“Our foundation is a shared expectation of excellence in all facets of care,” Dr. Tao says. “And the key to day-to-day success is communication and no egos.”

Primary care sports medicine physicians bring valuable expertise to the team. These specialists are trained in the comprehensive care of athletes and those with active lifestyles. This includes nonoperative orthopaedics, injury prevention, sports-related concussion management, and pre-participation evaluations.

Ross Mathiasen, MD, a primary care sports medicine physician, says patients are often surprised to find out that his specialty exists.

“When the general public thinks about sports medicine, they often think orthopaedics by default,” Dr. Mathiasen says. “One of the more unique things Nebraska Medicine offers is having multiple primary care sports medicine physicians on our team.”

When needed, the team connects athletes to specialists across the Nebraska Medicine health system, from cardiology to neurology, ensuring comprehensive care beyond sports injuries.

Athletic trainers also play a key role on the sports medicine team. They collaborate with doctors, physical therapists, coaches, and performance staff to monitor athlete health and prevent injuries.

Partnerships with 16 local high schools provide an efficient pathway to care that might not otherwise exist.

“When an injury occurs, athletes may eventually get to a provider,” McKune says. “However, our partnerships create an immediate path to access the most appropriate providers and streamline the process.”

While the team serves top-tier athletes, many patients are simply active kids and adults who benefit from the same high level of care.

“We love working with elite-level athletes, but we honestly care just as much about helping active individuals and weekend warriors through injuries and recovery,” Dr. Tao says.

With the University of Nebraska, Union Omaha, and LOVB Nebraska, the team emphasizes being present to build trust amongst athletes and coaches alike.

“We never want to be the focal point, but we strive to be part of the team,” Dr. Tao says. “The hope is that they don’t need us, but when they do, we’re here. And our goal is to be as elite medically as these athletes are on the field.”

The program’s commitment to excellence involves continuous learning, research, and clinical trials. The team is participating in multiple studies on ACL injuries and a clinical trial of the MISHA knee system, an implantable shock absorber for patients with osteoarthritis.