“I didn’t know I wanted to go to medical school,” Rippey said. “I was an occupational therapist, which I found helps me when I’m treating athletes for musculoskeletal disorders such as sprains, strains and tears. I also love sports. I was a cross country and track athlete as a teenager.”
Rippey, who recently joined USA Health as a family medicine physician and sports medicine specialist and an assistant professor of family medicine at the USA College of Medicine, specifically pursued a career at an academic health system. “I love teaching, and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to come to USA Health to train students in sports medicine and musculoskeletal care,” he said.
Rippey looks forward to furthering the Concussion Awareness and Treatment Program started at USA Health for athletes in Mobile and Baldwin counties. USA Health launched the concussion program to decrease the number of missed concussions and accelerate the recovery process for players.
He plans to work with James Slauterbeck, M.D., professor and chair of orthopaedic surgery at the USA College of Medicine, and other staff within the orthopaedic surgery department, to implement more injury risk assessments and prevention initiatives.
“It’s a pleasure to know that I help injured athletes return to sports and perform at their peak,” Rippey said. “This means looking at the whole person, not just their muscle and joint health, but nutrition, training regimens and mental health to get them to the best of their ability.”
Rippey will work as a primary care provider, while also providing care for athletes. He will treat a variety of conditions such as diabetes, anxiety, allergies, concussions and other sports-related injuries.
Rippey earned a medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia. He completed a residency in family medicine and a sports medicine fellowship at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla.
To schedule an appointment with Rippey, call the Department of Family Medicine at 251-434-3475.
