Chad David Lavender , M . D .
Assistant Professor , Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine , Marshall Health
JAMIE NULL
From the football field to the operating room , Chad David Lavender , M . D ., believes his drive — for the love of the game and dedication to his profession — is a huge part of his success as an orthopaedic surgeon and assistant professor at Marshall Sports Medicine Institute .
The specialty allows him to take care of athletes and patients of all ages .
“ I chose sports medicine because of my background as a football player and the understanding of what it meant for teammates to get back out on the field as soon as possible . I know what it means for athletes to get back on the field to earn scholarships ,” says Lavender .
Growing up in Chesapeake , WV , Lavender credits his parents as his greatest mentors and for giving him the chance to attend medical school .
“ When I decided to practice medicine , I asked my parents for $ 1,000 for a medical school review course , and I told them if they could pay for that course , I wouldn ’ t let them down ,” he says . “ They didn ’ t blink , and I hope I lived up to my end of the bargain .”
Lavender attended West Virginia University School of Medicine and Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine . He completed his sports medicine fellowship at Orthopaedic Research of Virginia . His duties as an orthopaedic surgeon include seeing
Photo by Marshall Health .
patients and performing surgeries several days a week . Lavender specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopy .
“ I have a desire to improve minimally invasive arthroscopy , which is evident in the techniques we have published in our book titled , ‘ Biologic and Nano arthroscopic Approaches in Sports Medicine ,’” says Lavender . “ My favorite aspects of my position are the patient interactions on a daily basis and the research I do to advance the field . There is no question that the biggest obstacle is the stigma we face being from West Virginia and coming from a less populated area . I have used this fact as motivation to work harder and push obstacles away to achieve our agenda and get our results out to the rest of the country .”
He has also helped provide sports medicine coverage for many sporting events at Marshall University , Virginia Tech , University of Charleston and Capital and South Charleston high schools as well as for the Washington Football Team .
Over the years , Lavender has received many awards for his work in sports medicine . He says being part of the 2022 West Virginia Executive Health Care Hall of Fame means the most to him as both a surgeon and a West Virginian .
“ This award is from West Virginia , which is the state I have lived in all of
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