Joseph F. Gaar, MD, an orthopedic surgeon providing medical expertise to high school athletic teams, passed away in Baton Rouge, La., in early June, according to Daily World.
Here are four things to know:
1. Jude Martin, an orthopedic therapist in St. Landry Parish, La., said Dr. Gaar was among the first in the area to bring arthroscopic knee surgery to the area.
2. Dr. Gaar's medical teams were the first locally to offer less costly preseason physical exams as well as offering injury consultations for players on Saturdays. The orthopedic surgeon would attend highs school games and offer care to players for almost two hours on Saturday mornings to address injuries.
3. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana States University School of Medicine in New Orleans.
4. Dr. Gaar had nearly 50 years of medical experience.
More articles on sports medicine:
UCCS, Penrose-St. Francis to develop sports medicine center — 4 insights
NFL strikes back, contests E&C Committee allegations about association 'inappropriately influencing' NIH: 4 things to know
One orthopedic surgeon's experience following a mass shooting: Dr. Richard Graves weighs in