Rothman Orthopaedics, AdventHealth provide orthopedic physicians for Orlando Solar Bears 

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute was announced as the Orlando Solar Bears’ official orthopedic team physicians at the start of the season in partnership with AdventHealth, the team’s official health care provider. In addition to providing world-class orthopedic care to the team, Rothman and AdventHealth will have logo exposure on-ice, in arena and the use of the Solar Bears trademarks to activate the partnership in the community.  
 
“We are thrilled to partner with Rothman Orthopaedics to revolutionize sports medicine care for the professional athletes on the Orlando Solar Bears team,” said Tricia Edris, chief innovation and partnerships officer for AdventHealth Central Florida. “And leading a healthy, active lifestyle is important, so we look forward to providing this world-class care to our larger community as well.” 
 
“Rothman Orthopaedics has a long, specialized history in working with high-performing athletes, maintaining their quality of life year-round,” said Alexander R. Vaccaro, M.D., Ph.D, M.B.A., President of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, and Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals. “Along with AdventHealth, we’re excited to extend our team of physicians and services to the Solar Bears while delivering on our mission to provide superior musculoskeletal treatment and become more active in the communities we serve.” 
 
“Rothman Orthopaedics sees great opportunity to partner with the Solar Bears,” said Ed Tufaro, interim CEO of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. “The commitment we have to professional athletes is the same commitment we provide to the residents of Central Florida.”  
 
Dr. John Ruder, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who joined Rothman in 2021, serves as the head team orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Jason Epstein, a sports medicine physician who also joined Rothman in 2021, serves as the head primary care team physician.  

Ruder is no stranger to the Solar Bears as he grew up in Naples, in southwest Florida.  He is a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon specializing in all facets of sports-related injury prevention and treatment. He treats sports-related injuries of the shoulder and knee and has a particular interest in hip preservation. He holds memberships in a number of professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.  

Ruder previously provided on-site medical coverage for the Birmingham Ballet Company, the Birmingham Barons, the Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament, Tuskegee University, and Vestavia Hills High School. By utilizing a team approach to patient care, Ruder leads his patients’ treatment planning and ensures methodical communication across all medical team members. 

Epstein is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and has a special interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. Additionally, he is skilled in the management of sports-related concussion, core muscle and overuse injuries.    

A native of New Jersey, Epstein has served as a team physician for Bethune-Cookman University, the Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliate Daytona Tortugas, Daytona State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Legacy Dance Studio and several local high schools. He has previously worked with SpaceX to perform exercise treadmill testing for cardiovascular evaluation. 
  
Epstein holds memberships in a number of professional societies, including the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians. 
 
“A team approach is necessary for sports medicine management and we are thrilled to provide Rothman’s world-class physicians and high-quality care to the Solar Bears,” said Luke S. Oh, M.D., Rothman Orthopaedics Florida Sports Medicine Surgeon and Medical Director of Orthopedic Sports Medicine for AdventHealth Orthopedic Institute.