Vanderbilt University Medical Center has signed an agreement to be the new health care and emergency medical services provider for the Nashville Predators, Nashville’s National Hockey League team.

The multi-year partnership will include both a strategic business partnership, encompassing marketing and charitable involvement, and Vanderbilt assuming the role of official health care provider of the Predators and the Sommet Center, the team’s home venue.

Vanderbilt Sports Medicine will provide comprehensive medical coverage for the Predators, including a team of physicians, trainers, therapists and others responsible for medical care, injury prevention, medical management and rehabilitation of the team’s players, coaches and team personnel.

Vanderbilt LifeFlight Event Medicine will provide emergency medical treatment for the Predators as well as first aid and emergency medical services at Sommet Center events.

“As the preeminent medical facility in the Southeastern United States and the largest employer in the Nashville area, Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a fantastic partner for the Predators in terms of both services and marketing,” said Chris Parker, the Predators’ senior vice president of corporate development. “They have phenomenal brand equity and recognition and we are excited to have them aboard.”

Jed Kuhn, M.D., associate professor of Orthopaedics and chief of Shoulder Surgery at the Vanderbilt Sports Medicine Center, has been named the Predators’ head team physician.

Kuhn is no stranger to hockey. He was the head team physician for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and has traveled extensively in Europe with USA hockey teams as a team physician. Kuhn has also served as a physician with the U.S. Olympic Committee, volunteering in Colorado Springs, and the 2003 World Winter University Games in Tarvisio, Italy. He is also currently a team physician with Vanderbilt University.

“On behalf of the Vanderbilt Sports Medicine Team, we are excited that the Nashville Predators have chosen us to provide their care.” Kuhn said. “We are thrilled that the Predators recognize that Vanderbilt Sports Medicine can bring the best research, education and clinical skills to the table to care for their athletes. As someone who has worked extensively as a physician with USA hockey and the University of Michigan Hockey program, and a fan of the game, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to work with this great club.”

Kuhn will be joined by team physicians James Carey, M.D., assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Charlie Cox, M.D.,  assistant professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; and Paul Rummo, D.O., assistant professor of Sports Medicine. 

Other physicians that will be assisting the team include team plastic surgeons Kevin Hagan, M.D., associate professor of Plastic Surgery; Wesley Thayer, M.D., assistant professor of Plastic Surgery; Blair Summitt, M.D., assistant professor of Plastic Surgery; Jason Wendel, M.D., assistant professor of Plastic Surgery; and team ophthalmologist Daniel Weikert, M.D., assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute.


Contact: Jerry Jones, (615) 322-4747
jerry.jones@vanderbilt.edu