When the new Chicago Eagles—an indoor football team—kick off their first season, Adam Yanke, M.D., a knee, shoulder and elbow surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, will be there to oversee things. Dr. Yanke has been selected as team physician for the 2016 season. Their inaugural season began on Saturday, February 27, 2016. All seven of the Chicago Eagles home games will be held at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
In the March 9, 2016 news release, Dr. Yanke stated, “I am honored to be working as the physician for this new team, which is going to be an exciting addition to the sports landscape here in Chicago. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience as an athlete and expertise in sports medicine to this team to treat players and also prevent injuries.”
As indicated in the news release, “Dr. Yanke has experience playing competitive sports and treating athletes of all levels. After earning all-state lacrosse honors in high school, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Miami University (Ohio). From there, he went to Rush Medical College, where he also completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship and was trained in advanced joint arthroscopy, shoulder arthroplasty and cartilage restoration techniques.”
“Dr. Yanke’s passion for sports has continued throughout his professional career as a team physician for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire, DePaul Blue Demons, Chicago Riot and Chicago Force. He also served as the team doctor for Chicago’s Wendell Phillips Academy football team in 2014 when the Wildcats made it to the IHSA Class 4A championship game.”
Dr. Yanke told OTW, “We are excited to be part of the Eagles as they get started in their new season here in Chicago. Currently we have worked with the team and their staff on setting up a support system for them in the event of any injuries. As their first season gets underway, there is a team of individuals helping from athletic trainers, to emergency medical technicians, to the staff themselves. It’s an exciting time for the team and we are looking forward to watching them develop and hopefully have a successful season.”
Asked what “sports moment” in his history might be most helpful in this new position, Dr. Yanke noted, “It is difficult to have a single moment guide many different treatments, but the body of experience in general is extremely helpful. We have been involved in many different sports including soccer, baseball, basketball and rugby, all of which have unique issues associated with each sport. In the case of football, our background in knee and shoulder injuries as well as concussion work-up and treatment are likely to be the most important aspect of coverage we can offer.”
