Founder
Dr. Lawrence J. Lemak, world renowned orthopaedic surgeon, is founding partner of Lemak Sports Medicine & Orthopedics (www.lemaksports.com) , one of the nation's leading orthopaedic clinics. He has played an integral role in sports medicine and arthroscopy research as one of the founders and board members of the American Sports Medicine Institute, a research and education center.
Education/Specialty
Dr. Lemak is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School and completed his orthopaedic residency at University of Pittsburgh. He specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopy and reconstruction of the knee, shoulder, hip and elbow. As a leader in the field of arthroscopy, Dr. Lemak has published articles in numerous medical journals and has given presentations in the United States, England, Europe, Japan and South America. He is a Faculty Member of the Minimally Invasive Surgery and Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery Symposium.
Dr. Lemak also served as Interim Chairman of Orthopaedics at the University of South Florida in Tampa from 2004 to 2006.
In the fall of 2009, Dr. Lemak moved his practice from Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama, to Trinity Medical Center, a facility owned by Community Health Systems.
Sports Medicine
Many professional sports organizations and corporations call upon Dr. Lemak's expertise as he serves as Medical Director for Major League Soccer, NFL Europe, Professional Golf Association and the Ladies Professional Golf Association, and the new United Football League. He is also Team Physician for many colleges and universities including Alabama State University, Miles College and the University of Montevallo.
He has also serves as National Medical Director for PhysioTherapy Associates (www.physiocorp.com), a leader in outpatient physical therapy with more than 500 locations throughout the country.
In the past, Dr. Lemak has also served as a Medical Director for Eclipsys Corporation and Source Medical Solutions.
Professional Affiliations
Dr. Lemak's professional affiliations include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine among others. Dr. Lemak is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Virginia.
American Sports Medicine Institute Fellowship Program
In an effort to continuously provide the best healthcare in orthopaedics, American Sports Medicine Institute and Lemak Sports Medicine & Orthopedics developed an internationally recognized fellowship program. More than 100 physicians and surgeons have studied under the leadership of Dr. Lemak and his practice.
Making A Difference
As a champion of volunteerism, Dr. Lemak has accomplished many great things for the state of Alabama and the Southeast. As the founder and chairman of the Alabama Sports Foundation, he helped bring the 1996 Olympic Soccer Games to Birmingham as well as many other events. Dr. Lemak also founded the National Center for Sports Safety, an organization dedicated to sports safety through education and research, particularly injury prevention and emergency response skills for youth coaches. As an expert in sports medicine and safety, Dr. Lemak serves as a member of the NFL Youth Safety Development Team.
Civic Involvement
Dr. Lemak has been involved with many other projects and organizations through his civic duties including the following: Chair for the Alabama High School Athletic Association Medical Advisory Committee; Board of Trustees and Vice Chairman for the Sports Development Board for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce; Board of Trustees for Alabama State University; Vice Chairman and Founder of the American Sports Medicine Institute; Chairman and Founder of Alabama Sports Foundation; Board Member for the Metropolitan Development Board; Executive Board Birmingham Area Council for the Boy Scouts of America; Co-chairman for the Lung Association Birmingham Chapter.
Dr. Lemak has also been appointed as the Chairman of the Alabama Sports Commission, as appointed by the Governor, and is the Medical Chair for the newly formed Alabama Boxing Commission.
Awards And Recognition
Dr. Lemak's dedication to the community have brought him numerous awards and recognitions during his career including: Alabama Hall of Fame Inductee; Greater Birmingham Ministry's Annual “Builder of Birmingham” Award; Business Council of Alabama Recognition Award; City of Birmingham Volunteer Service Award, Birmingham Magazine Birminghamian of the Year; Birmingham Business Journal Businessman of the Year; State of Alabama Outstanding Alabamian Award; March of Dimes Citizen of the Year; American Red Cross Clara Barton Society Inductee, Southern Women's Committee of Fifty Man of the Year; Big Brother/Big Sisters 2003 Sports Gala Honoree, Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award Recipient.
Dr. Lemak was also inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, as the Distinguished Sportsmen of the Year.
Dr. Lemak's excellent surgical skills, administrative and business abilities combined with his commitment to the community and civic duties make him an asset to the medical field and to the state of Alabama.
Dr. Lemak and his wife have three sons and six grandchildren.
