Inductees

For some high school football seniors, the frustrations of a season-ending knee injury can led to the usual frustrations: there is no way to make an impact and it’s the end of the road in athletics.

Dr. Mark Adams has proven that it doesn’t have to be that way, that someone who loves sports can have a positive influence even off the field years later.

The Sikeston High School graduate not only became a leader in sports medicine, helping to prolong the careers of athletes in the Show-Me State, but he also has supported athletics in numerous other ways.

Which is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly honored Dr. Adams with the President’s Award, bestowed on an individual who enhances sports in the state and especially champions the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

“Sports are a real fabric of our lives,” Dr. Adams said. “They require discipline through competition. And I just think sports make people better.”

A key member of the Columbia Orthopaedic Group since 1990 and its President since 2003, Dr. Adams has served as a team physician for the University of Missouri since 1993 as well as several other mid-Missouri colleges and high schools. His resume includes work in the Olympics, too.

Additionally, his support of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has been invaluable and deeply appreciated. Understand, the Hall of Fame is a non-profit which has never applied for state or federal funding. Instead, the Hall of Fame’s success is fueled through the generosity of folks, either financially or by giving of their time.

He actually has done both.

A 2014 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee himself, Dr. Adams has seen to it that the Columbia Orthopaedic Group consistently supports the Hall of Fame financially through the years. Additionally, he is a tremendous source for insight into the sports medicine field across the state, as Dr. Adams points out – and, at times, recommends – sports physicians or trainers worthy of consideration for induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

“I am proud to call Dr. Adams a friend,” said Jerald Andrews, the longtime President & Executive Director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. “He has a tremendous passion for sports and particularly sports in our state. He wants what is best, not only for athletes representing our colleges and high schools, but for medical personnel overseeing our teams as well as for the Hall of Fame.”

Dr. Adams’ journey into sports medicine arguably began after he suffered a torn knee ligament during his senior football season at Sikeston. The way Dr. Max Heeb was a professional sparked an interest.

Eventually, Dr. Adams graduated with honors in political science and biology at Drury University and later served as president of his medical school class at Mizzou and graduated in 1981.

He went on to an internship in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and a residency in orthopaedic surgery followed. In 1983, the graduating class named him Outstanding Resident Teacher.

A sports medicine fellowship at Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston  led to tremendous roles – assistant team physician for the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins, and a team representative to the NFL Combine – and time mentoring under Dr. Bertram Zarins.

Dr. Adams was a U.S. team physician for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as well as in the 1998 World Youth Games in Moscow, Russia. He also was the head team physician for the U.S. during the 1999 Women’s World Cup and worked the 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as major competitions in Brazil, Portugal and across Europe.

As much as he wants his teams to win, being honest about injuries with players and coaches remains a top priority.

“The win-loss record is what everybody keeps tabs on, but ultimately we need to do what’s best for the athlete,” Dr. Adams said.

Dr. Adams is a member of the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, the American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Missouri and Boone County Medical Societies.

He also has long had the support of his wife, Carole, and children Brian, Rob, Caitlin and Spencer.

“We’re a sports family, and they have supported my obsession and all the times I’ve been gone weeks and months at a time,” Dr. Adams said. “And I can’t say enough about how much that has meant to me.”

Program Bio:

Dr. Mark Adams

Dr. Mark Adams has been a sports fanatic since he was old enough to swing a bat. He lettered in baseball and football in high school, kicked a soccer ball for his college and traveled around the world with an Olympic gold medal team.  He even met his wife at a hometown softball game.

Today, Mark’s assistance on the field won’t put points on the scoreboard, but rather keeps players in the game. His time is spent evaluating injuries, ensuring that some of the state’s top athletes are fit to compete.

“Sports have always been my passion,” he said. “I just found a way to make it work that doesn’t involve donning a jersey.”

An orthopedic surgeon with an emphasis in sports medicine, at the time of his induction, Dr. Adams has more than 28 years’ experience on the sidelines and in the operating room. He specializes in knees and shoulders, but his patients will tell you that the true measure of his character extends far beyond bones and ligaments.

Born and raised in Sikeston, Missouri, Mark was one of seven children. A torn ligament during his senior year playing football exposed him to the injury and recovery process. His time on the bench, anxious to get back in the game, sparked an interest that would be ignited years later.

After high school graduation, Mark moved to Springfield to study at Drury University. During his four years, he served as president of Sigma Nu fraternity and played for the Drury club soccer team. He graduated with honors in political science and biology.

Mark attended medical school at the University of Missouri. While at Mizzou he realized the potential to combine his passion for athletics and medicine. He served as president of his medical school class for two years and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, honorary medical fraternity, before graduating in 1981.

Mark accepted an internship in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. A residency in orthopaedic surgery followed, and in 1983 the graduating class named him outstanding resident teacher at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Upon completion of his residency, Mark took a sports medicine fellowship at Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

His time on the east coast allowed for plenty of sports-related opportunities. Mark served as the assistant team physician for the New England Patriots and the Boston Bruins, and was a team representative to the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

After a brief stint in his hometown, the excitement of a college environment lured Mark and family back to Columbia. He joined Columbia Orthopaedic Group in 1990, then a group of 10 physicians with varied specialties, and quickly became involved in the sports scene in Mid-Missouri and beyond.

His past leadership roles have seamlessly blended with his career at COG. He is president of the group, a title held since 2003, and he has been instrumental in expanding the practice, now home to 28 physicians.

In 1993, Mark joined the ranks of the Missouri Tigers and became one of the athletic department’s physicians.  His nights and weekends are now spent taking care of athletes from Mizzou, Columbia College, University of Central Missouri, and he is orthopaedic consultant to Westminster and William Woods Universities. He is also an integral part of the athletic coverage of Columbia Public Schools.

Perhaps the most memorable sports achievement was when Mark was named a US team physician for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. He was assigned to the Women’s National Soccer Team, which shattered records and won the first women’s soccer Olympic gold medal. In 1998, he served as head team physician for the US squad at the World Youth Games in Moscow, Russia. His involvement continued as head team physician for the US during the 1999 Women’s World Cup, won in a dramatic shoot out against China at the Rose Bowl. Further international travels took him to the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, as well as major competitions in Brazil, Portugal and across Europe.

Beyond soccer, Mark is lauded in the medical community for his achievements in the field. He is a member of the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame, the American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Missouri and Boone County Medical Societies. In 2000, the Arthritis Foundation named him Humanitarian of the Year.

Mark enjoys cheering on his Missouri Tigers, the St. Louis Cardinals and Rams.

When he isn’t spending time on the sidelines, you can find Mark golfing or looking down the barrel of a shotgun. He is an avid traveler, enjoys scuba diving and is actively involved in the Columbia community. Mark is most proud of his marriage to his loving wife, Carole, and their four children, Brian, Rob, Caitlin and Spencer.