Each year, the Honors and Awards Committee is provided by the membership names of special individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to sports medicine with influence on the athletic training profession. The Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society proudly recognizes this person for their service and dedication by honoring them with this award. Murfreesboro Medical Clinic (MMC) is proud to congratulate one of our very own, Dr. Utpal Patel, for being awarded their Sports Medicine Person of the Year.

Dr. Patel is an Internist with MMC's Internal & Family Medicine department, where he treats patients 15 years and older. Among his other endeavors, Dr. Patel is also a certified ImPact Concussion Specialist. He has worked closely with Middle Tennessee State University as their team physician and official concussion specialist for over 15 years.

In addition to caring for numerous athletes at the local middle and high school levels, he also serves as a team physician for Sewanee, University of the South. "Dr. Patel is dedicated and passionate about his work, not only the MTSU athletes, but for all the patients that he sees," Ray Knight, South's Head Athletic Trainer, reports. "He is always willing to go above and beyond what is required, to ensure that each student athlete receives the best medical care possible."

Dr. Patel was also instrumental in developing Middle Tennessee State University athletic department's concussion protocol and management policies well before such guidelines were mandated. His important contributions are enhanced by his ImPACT certification. ImPact is an organization of clinicians "who have undergone specialized ImPACT training to offer state-of-the-art concussion care management to their patients."

Due to his many contributions to the community, including serving on Mayor McFarland's Better 'Boro Project, it is no surprise that Dr. Patel is deserving of this award. Joey Peay, MMC's Chief Executive Officer noted, "Dr. Patel is very deserving of this recognition due to his commitment to his profession as well as his many contributions to the community. With concerns about concussions and their long-term effects on individuals, especially athletes, so widespread right now, his devotion to this specialization is very beneficial to our community as well as to the MTSU Athletic Department. His work ethic, dedication, and compassionate spirit are also attributes that make him beloved by his co- workers, patients, family, and city. Congratulations, Dr. Patel!"

For more information about Dr. Patel's Concussion Specialist clinic, or to schedule an appointment, please call 615.867.8010 today. Your health is our mission.