Robert Franks, D.O., F.A.O.A.S.M., is a board certified, family practice physician with a certificate of added qualification in Sports Medicine at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. He specializes in medical orthopaedics, sports medicine, and is one of the nation’s leaders in sports-related concussion management.
Dr. Franks serves as an Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University as well as a Clinical Associate Professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Franks is widely published on sports concussion management having co-authored the Team Physician’s Consensus Statement on Concussion and further contributing numerous articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international meetings. Dr. Franks recently published “Current Concepts in the Office Based Treatment of the Concussed Athlete” and was recognized as the Osteopathic Family Physician Attending Paper of the Year for 2019.
He is an active member of several sports medicine societies, including the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM) where he previously served as President. Dr. Franks is also a team physician for USA wrestling and a number of area high schools and consults for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Dr. Franks has received numerous awards and recognition for his work on concussions. He has "Top Doc" status with Castle Connolly, Philadelphia Magazine, and has been named a South Jersey “Top Doc” for the past several years in both Pediatric and Adult Sports Medicine. In 2019, The American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine awarded Dr. Franks as Mentor of the Year. He is also the recipient of the David Moyer Physician of the Year award from the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA).
Professional Profile
Education
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ
- Residency, Family Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine/Kennedy Health System
- Fellowship, Primary Care Sports Medicine, University Hospital health System/Richmond Heights Hospital
Titles & Certifications
- Board Certified, Family Medicine
- Certificate of Added Qualifications, Sports Medicine
Professional Associations
- American Osteopathic Association of Sports Medicine
- American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Osteopathic Association
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
- New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
- New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
Education
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ
- Residency, Family Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine/Kennedy Health System
- Fellowship, Primary Care Sports Medicine, University Hospital health System/Richmond Heights Hospital
Titles & Certifications
- Board Certified, Family Medicine
- Certificate of Added Qualifications, Sports Medicine
Professional Associations
- American Osteopathic Association of Sports Medicine
- American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Osteopathic Association
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
- New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
- New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
Bibliography:
Herring S, Kibler WB, Putukian M, Solomon GS, Boyajian-O'Neill L, Dec KL, Franks RR, Indelicato PA, LaBella CR, Leddy JJ, Matuszak J, McDonough EB, O'Connor F, Sutton KM. Selected issues in sport- related concussion (SRC|mild traumatic brain injury) for the team physician: a consensus statement British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 16 June 2021. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104235
Canseco JA, Franks RR. Overview of Traumatic Brain Injury in American Football Athletes. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, Mar 2021:.
Rodriguez Regner R, Franks R, Cavanna A, Koeplin-Day J. AOASM White Paper: Return to Training: Management of the Athlete from the COVID-19 Pandemic. AOA/AOASM Websites, June 2020.
Franks RR, et al. “Select Issues in Pain Management for the Youth and Adolescent Athlete for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2020: 329-338.
Franks RR, “Respiratory System” in Pre-Participation Physical Examination Monograph. American Academy of Pediatrics: Itasca, IL, 2019: 111-116.
Franks RR, et al. “Load, Overload, and Recovery in the Athlete Select Issues for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2019: 821-828.
Franks RR, et al. “Current Concepts in the Office Based Treatment of the Concussed Athlete.” Osteopathic Family Physician. September/October 2018: 32-43.
Franks RR, et al. “Female Athlete Issues for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement – 2017 Update. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2018: 1113-1122.
Franks RR, et al. “The Stability of Engagement Over Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment in Student Athletes Diagnosed with Sports Related Concussion. Developmental Neuropsychology, 2018: 1-11.
Franks RR, “Skin Problems in the Athlete” in Netter’s Sports Medicine 2nd Edition. Elsevier Publications: Philadelphia, PA, 2018: 291-302
Franks RR, et al. “Psychological Issues Related to Illness and Injury and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2017: 1043-1054.
Franks RR, et al. “Selected Issues in Injury and Illness Prevention and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2016: 159-71.
Franks RR, et al. “The Team Physician and Strength and Conditioning of Athletes for Sports: A Consensus Statement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2015: 440-45.
Franks RR, et al. “Selected Issues for Nutrition and the Athlete: A Consensus Statement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2013: 2378-2386.
Franks RR, et al. “Position Statement of National Athletic Trainers Association on Preventing Sudden Death in Secondary School Athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 2013: 546-553.
Franks RR, et al. “Definition of a Team Physician: A Consensus Statement -2013 Update. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2013: 1618-1622.
Stache, S. Close, J. Franks R. Levy, E. “Descriptive Analysis of a Concussion Study Sample Group with Use of Amantadine as a Recovery Agent.” Abstract. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013; 23(2): 155.
Franks RR, et al. “Position Statement of National Athletic Trainers Association on Evaluation of Dietary supplements for Performance Nutrition. Journal of Athletic Training. Journal of Athletic Training. 2013; 48(1): 124-136.
Franks RR, et al. “Sideline Preparedness and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement -2012 Update. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2012: 2442-2445.
Franks RR, et al. “Return to Play and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement -2012 Update. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2012: 2446-2448.
Franks RR, et al. “Position Statement of National Athletic Trainers Association on Preventing Sudden Death in Sport. Journal of Athletic Training, 2012: 477-480.
Franks RR, et al. “Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement -2011 Update. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2011: 2412-2422.
Franks RR, “Achilles Tendon Ruptures” in Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine. Sage Publications: Los Angeles, CA, 2011: 12-13.
Franks RR, “Shoulder Subluxation.” in Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine. Sage Publications: Los Angeles, CA, 2011: 1313-15.
Franks RR, “Skin Conditions in Wrestling.” in Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine. Sage Publications: Los
Angeles, CA, 2011: 1325-28.
Franks RR, “Wrestling Injures.” in Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine. Sage Publications: Los Angeles, CA, 2011: 1552-57.
Franks RR and Lambert KC, “The Foot and Ankle Exam” in Osteopathic Clinical Joint Exam. American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine: Madison, WI, 2010: 147-62.
Franks RR, et al. “Sports, Recreation and Exercise.” Preventing Injury in New Jersey: Priorities for Action. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. August 2008, 28-31.
Barry H, Lambert KC, Franks RR. Pre-Participation Physical Examination. In: Ebell MH, Ferenchick G, Smith M, Barry H, Slawson D, Shaughnessy A, Forsch R, Li S, Wilkes M, Usatine R, eds. Essential Evidence. John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ, 2009.
Franks, RR. “School of Hard Knocks – Current Concepts in Concussion Management.” The Journal of the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. Fall 2006; 6.4: 12-22.
Lambert, K, Franks, R, Neidecker, J. “The Effect of a Required Minimum Body Fat With Mandatory Body Fat Analysis on the Attitudes and Behaviors of High School Wrestlers.” Abstract, Journal of American Osteopathic Association. 2005; 105(7): 332.
Franks, RR. “Power Hungry: Student Athletes and Their Growing Use of Performance Enhancing Substances.” The Journal of the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. Summer 2005; 5.3: 14-19.
Franks, RR. “Maxillofacial Injuries in Athletics.” Osteopathic Family Physician News. May 2005: 1, 14- 15.
