Surgeon and Influencer Profile: Matthew Provencher

One of the orthopedics’ better-known speakers and influencers is Matthew T. Provencher, M.D. and as part of the 2021 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) annual meeting’s Influencer series, we are honored to profile Dr. Matthew Provencher.

For him, mentoring is important. And so is teamwork. At AAOS, he explained to the audience who attended the AAOS sponsored Influencer series, “If we are successful as a team, it makes me feel good. Take care of your team. My mom always said so many people will be better than you.”

During his talk, Provencher shared the transformative experiences that have shaped his career so far.

The Direct Route Isn’t Always the Best One

His path to orthopedics and sports medicine was not a direct route. After graduating high school in his hometown of Barrington, New Hampshire, Provencher attended the United State Naval Academy where he majored in electrical engineering. At Annapolis he was a four-year varsity oarsman, First-Team All-American, and named Most Valuable Oarsman.

He then completed his medical education at Dartmouth Medical School where he graduated with honors.

Provencher also completed an orthopedic shoulder, knee, and sports surgery fellowship in Chicago at Rush University.

As a researcher, he has been recognized many times, including being honored with the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Science Award and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Aircast Research Award.

Through various peer-reviewed grants from funding agencies such as Congressional Directed Medical Research Program, the Department of Defense and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, he helped establish MOTION (Military Orthopaedic Tracking Injuries Network), MPOWR (Mobile Platform for Optimizing Warfighter Rehabilitation) and BISS (Balboa Instability Severity Index Scores) to study musculoskeletal outcomes, value driven care, as well as the mechanics and basic science studies on the shoulder and knee.

MOTION is a $42 million DHA (Defense Health Agency) Initiative to improve musculoskeletal care in active and retired military personnel.

Provencher served as an orthopedic surgeon at the Naval Medical Center San Diego from 2004 to 2013 and was the director of the sports medicine and surgery from 2007 to 2013. He was also head orthopedic team physician for Navy Seal teams and was instrumental in setting up the Special Forces Tactical Athlete Program (TAP)—a comprehensive wellness, injury prevention and rehabilitation program for Naval Special Forces.

He also served as the director for surgical services for four years on the USNS Mercy (TAH-19) and led the surgical team during Pacific partnership 2012—the largest Humanitarian and Civic Action in the Asia-Pacific region.

After fulfilling his Navy obligation, he became the chief of sports surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, visiting professor at Harvard Medical School and medical director and head team physician for the New England Patriots football team.

He was the medical director of the Patriots during the 2014 Super Bowl Championship season and established a wellness and injury prevention program for the team. He also serves as a second opinion orthopedist for the NFL, MLB, and the NHL, and has spent time as the assistant team physician for the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.

In March 2016, he took a position at The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado.

He serves on numerous national and international committees and is on the board of directors for American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is an active member of International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and the International Cartilage Repair Society.

His research includes over 264 peer-reviewed publications and articles, 148 chapters, and six textbooks. He has given over 500 peer-reviewed and invited national and international presentations in sports medicine and leadership.

The Journey

A part of the Influencer series, Provencher was asked specific questions about his journey as an orthopedic surgeon. Here is what he had to say:

When did you know when you wanted to be a surgeon?

I didn’t know what medicine was. We didn’t have a doctor in the family. At first, I wanted to be pilot, so I majored in electrical engineering at the Naval Academy. But then I failed my pre-commission physical exam. My eyesight was 20-50.

I needed to figure out what to do instead. My Dad knew John Kelley at the Naval Academy, who was a chemistry professor there. He asked me if I ever thought about medicine. Then Dr. Eddie McDevitt, also at Naval Academy, told me I should think about sports medicine.

As an athlete myself, I had a lot of orthopedic injuries. I was always looking up information at the library—no Google back then—and then talking to people.

What drives you?

The ability to help patients do more, be better, get back to their lives. It is tangible, meaningful—can have impact on people’s lives.

What’s one important lesson you learned?

There were several forced delays as I started my career as an orthopedic surgeon. I was not happy with them, but each one ended up being meaningful. I should have been more patient.

Another important lesson?  As a team physician, I learned the need to personalize the training room. I also needed to take time to know the athletes’ medical DNA and what they care about as their team physician. I needed to know them better than they knew themselves.

What have been your best days?

There is nothing like a Super Bowl. I didn’t do anything, but was very stressed. There were 62 cameras and I was told by team management to not screw up. It was a good experience but also bad. There was a lot of stress to do the right thing for the athlete. Remember to always do your job at the highest level. Don’t worry about external pressure.

What is your advice for current and future orthopedic doctors?

Orthopedics is hard work. It is stressful sometimes, but it is important to learn from mistakes, understanding you are part of a team. It is only 20-30% me and 70% the team.

Also be a student in leadership. I have been all my life. You have to take care of people, show you care, set the example, be transparent, take personal accountability, listen, and don’t talk a lot.

You need to take care of your team. This is what motivates me. When the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2014, Robert Kraft was only going to have 5 medical rings made. I told him though that we needed rings for my whole team. Each ring is about $30,000 to $50,000. I had to write in detail what each of my team members did to deserve a ring, but I got all 17 rings.

You also have to strike that balance between work and family. I worked hard, but now I carefully carve out quality time with my family.

If you could do an orthopedic do-over, what would it be?

I would focus more on society and organization work earlier on in my career.

What do you want to be your legacy?

I don’t think I qualify for that, but if you push me into the corner, I want to be known as a collaborator, putting team together.

What three words best describe you?

Passionate, positive and persevering.

Who were the most influencings orthopedists in your life?

At the Naval Academy, it was Eddie McDevitt and John Webster. Also Dana Covy at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Covey would never ask you to do anything he didn’t do himself successfully.