Hospital for Special Surgery Named United States Olympic Committee's First National Medical Center

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City has been designated the first National Medical Center of the United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) National Medical Network. In this capacity, HSS will be an official hospital for elite U.S. athletes.

"I'm thrilled that Hospital for Special Surgery will now have an even closer relationship with elite athletes and the opportunity to put its full expertise behind all of Team USA," said Scott A. Rodeo, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and Co-Chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Hospital for Special Surgery. "Working with USA Swimming at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games was an extraordinary privilege."

"Dr. Rodeo is a swimmer himself and he understands what it means to be a high level athlete – coupled with his expertise that's what made Hospital for Special Surgery a great resource for me when I was faced with an injury," said Lenny Krayzelburg, four-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist from the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. "I chose HSS because it's the best in America for orthopedics. When you're going for gold you want the best hospital to receive the best care so that you can get back to your sport."

Hospital for Special Surgery is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation – ranked No. 1 in orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report – and has a longstanding connection to world-class athletes, including many U.S. Olympic athletes. For years, HSS doctors have served U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls as the team physicians for USA Swimming, USA Volleyball, and USRowing.

"This designation by the USOC complements HSS's dedication and commitment to treating elite athletes," said Louis A. Shapiro, President and CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery. "Our medical experts are the most highly respected in athletic medicine today. We have long specialized in working with world-class athletes to achieve their goals, and we look forward to continuing this effort through our participation in the USOC's National Medical Network."

"We are extremely pleased to have Hospital for Special Surgery join the National Medical Network, which was formed to provide convenient and quality services for elite athletes in the United States," said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance.

Read more at USOC.org

About Hospital for Special Surgery:

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 4 in rheumatology and No. 5 in geriatrics by U.S. News & World Report (2013-14). HSS is the Official Hospital of the New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Liberty, New York Mets, New York Red Bulls, The PGA of America, and New York Road Runners.  Our doctors and physical therapists also work closely with the Association of Tennis Professionals, among many other athletic organizations.  HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. From 2008 to 2012, HSS has been a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. HSS is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.

About the USOC:

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery