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Meet ORA Orthopedics’ Dr. Thomas VonGillern in this “What Moves Me” profile and find out what’s behind his long-standing relationship with Rock Island High School’s sports teams.
Each month, find out what motivates ORA Orthopedics’ providers to practice and treat patients in the Quad Cities in our “What Moves Me” feature.
In celebration of adventure, meet Rock Island Football team physician, Dr. Thomas VonGillern. Back at ORA Orthopedics, Dr. VonGillern specializes in hand and wrist, and shoulder and elbow orthopedics. But on the field, he’s all-around team doc and Rocky Fan #1.
Meet ORA Orthopedics Surgeon: Dr. Thomas VonGillern
Name:
Dr. Thomas VonGillern, ORA Orthopedics
Years in Practice:
34
Hometown:
Des Moines, Iowa
High School football is underway. Tell us about your role on the Rocky Football Teams!
I have been working with Rocky since about 1990. My concept on the Illinois side of the river was that we should create an easily accessible avenue for injured athletes to quickly undergo evaluation to determine which treatment course would facilitate their recovery. I thought this would best be accomplished by having one physician assigned to each school.
This developed familiarity, trust and easy access for the coaches, trainers and athletes to get quick answers and speed recovery. I was familiar with Rocky, so I chose Rocky.
We understand Rocky clinched its 3rd Big Six title in the last 4 years! How do you feel the team is looking this year?
So far so good. I am optimistic. But a team’s standing depends on each subsequent game. Every game is the sum of all the plays. Every play counts. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes —and makes good on the specials teams — usually wins. So far so good this season, but it will only get tougher with the playoffs.
What kind of demands does football put on young minds and bodies of athletes?
It is development of a team mentality, mental toughness and physical fitness. All athletics at high school level are important in the development of the individual.
What do you enjoy or what impresses you most about being their team physician?
I have always been involved in athletics through high school and college. Orthopedics is the specialty of medicine that most frequently deals with athletics. It is combining fun and medicine. It is great to get athletes back into the game.
What is your position on kids overtraining for sports ‘year around? Or what should parents keep in mind to prevent injuries?
There is much written about overtraining. Parents need to seek advice from reliable sources and easy pressure on the athletes. It is more important for the athlete long term to minimize injuries—including injuries from overtraining.
When you are not at Rocky football games, how do you spend your weekends?
Frequently at the Iowa football games.
What made you decide to become an orthopedic surgeon?
I was interested in medicine and carpentry. Orthopedic surgery combines the two.
What do you like best about practicing medicine?
I love surgery and love interacting with patients. Every patient has a different story to tell. Sorting out their story and helping them deal with their problems is still exciting every day.
What inspires you most about your patients?
Perseverence in the face of adversity is a lot of it. A patient’s willingness to accept and proceed into a treatment program –about which they know little—and is mostly based upon their trust in their physician—means a lot.
In celebration of adventure, meet Rock Island Football team physician, Dr. Thomas VonGillern. Back at ORA Orthopedics, Dr. VonGillern specializes in hand and wrist, and shoulder and elbow orthopedics. But on the field, he’s all-around team doc and Rocky Fan #1.
Meet ORA Orthopedics Surgeon: Dr. Thomas VonGillern
Name:
Dr. Thomas VonGillern, ORA Orthopedics
Thomas VonGillern
Years in Practice:
34
Hometown:
Des Moines, Iowa
High School football is underway. Tell us about your role on the Rocky Football Teams!
I have been working with Rocky since about 1990. My concept on the Illinois side of the river was that we should create an easily accessible avenue for injured athletes to quickly undergo evaluation to determine which treatment course would facilitate their recovery. I thought this would best be accomplished by having one physician assigned to each school.
This developed familiarity, trust and easy access for the coaches, trainers and athletes to get quick answers and speed recovery. I was familiar with Rocky, so I chose Rocky.
We understand Rocky clinched its 3rd Big Six title in the last 4 years! How do you feel the team is looking this year?
So far so good. I am optimistic. But a team’s standing depends on each subsequent game. Every game is the sum of all the plays. Every play counts. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes —and makes good on the specials teams — usually wins. So far so good this season, but it will only get tougher with the playoffs.
What kind of demands does football put on young minds and bodies of athletes?
It is development of a team mentality, mental toughness and physical fitness. All athletics at high school level are important in the development of the individual.
What do you enjoy or what impresses you most about being their team physician?
I have always been involved in athletics through high school and college. Orthopedics is the specialty of medicine that most frequently deals with athletics. It is combining fun and medicine. It is great to get athletes back into the game.
What is your position on kids overtraining for sports ‘year around? Or what should parents keep in mind to prevent injuries?
There is much written about overtraining. Parents need to seek advice from reliable sources and easy pressure on the athletes. It is more important for the athlete long term to minimize injuries—including injuries from overtraining.
When you are not at Rocky football games, how do you spend your weekends?
Frequently at the Iowa football games.
What made you decide to become an orthopedic surgeon?
I was interested in medicine and carpentry. Orthopedic surgery combines the two.
What do you like best about practicing medicine?
I love surgery and love interacting with patients. Every patient has a different story to tell. Sorting out their story and helping them deal with their problems is still exciting every day.
What inspires you most about your patients?
Perseverence in the face of adversity is a lot of it. A patient’s willingness to accept and proceed into a treatment program –about which they know little—and is mostly based upon their trust in their physician—means a lot.
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