Houston's premier sports medicine institute has a history all its own (continued)

By Camille Webb

The star player's turn at bat

Talks began between the Medical School, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, and Baylor College of Medicine about creating a multi-institutional sports medical center in Houston.

"At that same time, Dan Wolterman was looking for a prominent sports medicine figure in the Houston community with whom to partner in this sports medicine institute," Dr. Clanton says.

Wolterman proceeded to have multiple discussions with Major League Baseball great and star Astros pitcher Roger Clemens and his agents about the concept of a sports medicine institute and what it could do for the Houston community.

"The potential for bringing together both of the medical schools and their section chiefs in sports medicine with the Memorial Hermann system and its resources in a brand new facility that would be part of the new 30-story Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza tower became a vision that all of us felt had a lot of credibility," Dr. Clanton says.

Furthermore, its location in the Texas Medical Center would give the facility ideal access to key resources through both medical schools.

A historical moment

In June 2006, Memorial Hermann and Clemens announced their unique partnership to build the Roger Clemens Institute for Sports Medicine & Human Performance in the 30-story Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza. The facility promised to be the largest, most comprehensive, medically based sports program in the Southwest – combining the strengths of two medical school sports programs under one roof.

"It's taken 25 years in discussions with hospitals and administrators and medical school administration to finally reach a point where everyone caught the vision," Dr. Clanton says.

On Jan. 15, 2007, the Roger Clemens Institute for Sports Medicine & Human Performance officially opened its doors to patients with the concept of providing comprehensive services at the highest level to prepare athletes from all walks of life to compete at the highest level.

"The fact that the institute has Roger Clemens name on it is not to suggest that it is focused on just baseball athletes, but it is a reflection that champion-level athletes can find medical care that would help them meet their own championship goals at the recreational level or at the professional or Olympic level," Dr. Clanton says.

Expert care

The plan for the Roger Clemens Institute is to expand to other locations within the community over the next five years. "We're in the process of recruiting other nationally and internationally recognized sports medicine experts in subspecialty fields," adds Dr. Clanton, who specializes in lower extremities (knee, foot, and ankle).

In addition to Dr. Clanton's expertise, co-medical directors from the Roger Clemens Institute include Dr. Lowe, from Baylor College of Medicine, and Mark Adickes, M.D. Dr. Lowe specializes in knee and shoulder, and Dr. Adickes specializes in hip, shoulder, and knee.

Through their affiliation with the Roger Clemens Institute, the UT Medical School and Baylor will have residency and fellowship programs, as well as joint continuing medical education (CME) seminars for athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, and physicians.

All of it in one place

Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, the Roger Clemens Institute is itself a champion. It boasts the best and most comprehensive sports medicine care in one location, including injury prevention and evaluation, orthopaedic surgery with minimally invasive options, post-injury rehabilitation, athletic conditioning and training, performance evaluation, and sports nutrition, psychology, massage, and acupuncture.

The first-rate Performance Evaluation Lab – complete with a basketball hoop for shooting, a golf putting range, and a pitcher's mound and batting cage for hitting and throwing – helps to test athletic performance.

A hydrotherapy pool with a treadmill at the bottom helps to facilitate movement, and a three-camera video system is used to analyze biomechanical motions while swimming or running.

Two signature suites for professional athletes ensure that when Rockets star Yao Ming comes to the Roger Clemens Institute for an appointment, he won't have to sit in the waiting room. The suites have a private entrance, separate exam room area, and a private bathroom with shower. Suite furnishings include Eames Lounge and Ottoman, computer with fl at screen monitor, and Internet and phone service.

The community benefit

Many professional and Olympic athletes choose to make Houston their home. It is a city with players from almost all major sports – baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and hockey.

"Rather than these athletes having to fly to L.A., Vale, New York, or Birmingham to receive specialized sports medicine care, the Roger Clemens Institute will provide whatever they might need right here in the community," Dr. Clanton says. "At the same time, it will provide care for recreational and other competitive athletes in the Houston region. We provide the same level of service to anyone in the community with sports-related injuries."

The Roger Clemens Institute for Sports Medicine & Human Performance is Houston's premier sports medicine facility and one that was well worth the wait.