James Tibone, MD, professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, recently received the 2018 Robert E. Leach Sports Medicine Leadership Award from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). This annual award honors those who have made significant contributions to the sports medicine specialty. It is one of the top awards the AOSSM presents each year.

James Tibone, left, receives the 2018 Robert E. Leach Sports Medicine Leadership Award from the AOSSM Vice President James Bradley. (Photo/Courtesy AOSSM)

Tibone, who holds the Moss Foundation Professorship in Sports Medicine, is an internationally recognized expert in sports injuries of the shoulder, knee and elbow, and total and reverse shoulder replacement surgery. He has been a team physician for the USC football team for 28 years. He also has extensive experience working with professional athletes including the Los Angeles Kings, Dodgers and Lakers. Tibone treats patients at the USC Epstein Family Center for Sports Medicine.

The AOSSM is a global sports medicine organization with more than 3,600 members, including physicians and allied health professionals. Tibone received the award at the AOSSM annual meeting on July 6 in San Diego.

— Amanda Busick