Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award

Medallion Awards

CRITERIA: The Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award, named in honor of the former Olympic athlete, international sports medicine scholar, and Director of the University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Center, is given annually to an individual for his/her contributions to the growth and development of sport medicine through practice and/or scholarly activity. The individual should exhibit a mastery of some aspect of sports medicine through practice or research, be well known in the sports medicine field and have an abiding belief in and practice of ethical behavior in pursuit of knowledge.

Ernst Jokl was an outstanding runner in the 400 meters and 400 meter hurdles for the German Olympic squad in 1928 following which he published his first medical study and began what is generally recognized as a most prominent career in the field. He worked with renowned scientists like A.V. Hill, Nobel Prize winner, Max Burger, Adolph Loewy and Adolphe Abrahams. He was the first Director of the Department of Sports Medicine at Breslau University in 1933 before moving to South America to become Director of Physical Education at Stellenbosch University where he developed a national program in sports science. Jokl came to the United States in 1952 and served as the Director of the University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Center. Jokl has been a prolific author and researcher in sports medicine, psychology and sociology publishing articles and books in these areas. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the United States Sports Academy in 1993 for his contributions to sports medicine.

Previous Recipients

2009

Dr. Robert Cantu – Concussions expert, neurosurgeon

2008

Dr. Andrew Capuccino – Buffalo Bills team doctor

2007

Dr. John Lombardo – MD, Sports Medicine, Columbus, Ohio

2006

Dr. David Schmidt, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Spurs team physician

2005

Dr. Bert Mandelbaum – Orthopedic surgeon, Santa Monica Orthopedic Group

2004

Jerome A. Dempsey, Ph.D. - Professor of Preventive Medicine, UW-Madison

2003

Dr. Lawrence Lemak – Orthopedic surgeon, Health South Medical Center

2002

Dr. Eric Heiden – Orthopedic surgeon, Olympic speedskating champion

2001

Dr. Frank Jobe – Noted “Tommy John” surgeon

2000

Dr. Robert E. Leach – Editor, American Journal of Sports Medicine

1999

Richard D. Martin – Athletic Trainer, Minnesota Twins

1998

Prince Alexandre de Merode – Chairman, IOC Medical Commission

1997

Donald A. Chu – President, National Strength & Conditioning Association

1996

Fred Mueller, Ph.D. – Chair of Physical Education, University of North Carolina

1995

Dr. Jacques Rogge – Vice President, IOC Medical Commission

1994

Dr. James Andrews – Alabama Sports Medicine

1993

Sir Roger Bannister – Neurologist, First to break 4 minutes in mil