Joseph Ruane, D.O./Medical Director

Dr. Joseph Ruane is the medical director for the Columbus Blue Jackets and has been a member of the club’s medical team since the inaugural 2000-01 season. He is the founder and medical director of the McConnell Spine, Sport and Joint Center and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He is also the co-founder of the OhioHealth Sports Medicine Institute.

With his passion for athletics, Dr. Ruane’s special interests include regenerative tissue therapies, soft-tissue pain syndromes, challenges of the aging population and patient education. He has earned several awards for excellence in teaching and clinical service, and is published in peer-reviewed journals and texts. He also travels nationally, educating his peers in musculoskeletal medicine.

Dr. Ruane graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and served his residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, where he was chief resident in Family Medicine. He completed a Fellowship in Sports Medicine with Horizon Orthopedic, the team physicians for MLB’s Cleveland Indians.

Greg Bellisari, M.D./Team Physician

Dr. Greg Bellisari is a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in Sports Medicine. A Florida native, he completed undergraduate training and medical school at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Bellisari went on to complete a fellowship training program in Sports Medicine at OrthoCarolina while caring for amateur, collegiate and professional athletes. He is a former professional athlete who played in the NFL after playing college football at Ohio State.

As a medical professional, Dr. Bellisari has been involved in multiple youth and high school sports programs. He is a member of the OhioHealth Sports Medicine Institute and enjoys taking care of central Ohio athletes at all levels. He was nationally nominated as a “Best Doctor” in orthopedic sports medicine in 2017-18 and earned “teacher of the year” for his involvement in the orthopedic residency program.

Larry Watson, M.D./Team Physician

Dr. Larry Watson is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in Sports Medicine, and was repeately voted best orthopedic surgeon and top sports orthopedist in central Ohio by his peers. His special interests include the treatment of knee and shoulder problems associated with sports injuries and overuse.

A former college basketball player, Dr. Watson has spent much of his career dedicated to providing treatment and care to a variety of athletes of all skill levels. Dr. Watson has served as a team physician for many professional, college, high school and club athletic organizations.

Dr. Watson earned his medical degree at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at The Ohio State University, and Fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Western Ontario University Hospital, London, Ontario. Dr. Watson is a proud member of the OhioHealth Sports Medicine Institute.

Jason Dapore, D.O./Team Physician

Dr. Jason Dapore is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with special interests in musculoskeletal ultrasound, platelet rich plasma injection therapy, osteopathic manipulative therapies and sports performance. With his passion for sports and an active lifestyle, Dr. Dapore has dedicated his career to restoring patients — at all levels of activity — back to their fullest.

Dr. Dapore received his medical degree from Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He served as Chief Resident for Doctors Hospital Family Medicine program and completed his Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Dapore was named to Columbus Business First Forty Under 40 Class of 2013. His practice is dedicated to comprehensive non-operative musculoskeletal care from acute injuries to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Dr. Dapore is a proud member of the OhioHealth Sports Medicine Institute. To learn more about Dr. Dapore and his practice, visit www.spinesportandjointcenter.com or follow him on the social platform X @jdapore.

Ben Burkam, M.D./Team Physician

Dr. Ben Burkam has experience with professional, collegiate, high school and youth sports and he provides comprehensive, compassionate care in diagnosing and treating a wide range of bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint specific conditions.

Dr. Burkam was raised in Delaware, Ohio. After completing his residency at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and Sports Medicine Fellowship at Kettering Health Center / Wright State University, he began his practice in Akron, Ohio for three years, while serving as Team Physician for the Cleveland Indians organization and Kent State University. He returned to central Ohio to join the Non-Surgical Orthopedic specialists at OhioHealth McConnell Spine, Sport and Joint Center, and now proudly serves at a Team Physician for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Hilliard Davidson High School.

He specializes in osteoarthritis management and uses innovative techniques to treat chronic tendon conditions such as achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. In addition, he specializes in the diagnosis and management of concussions. Dr. Burkam utilizes nonsurgical treatment methods to treat a variety of bone, joint and muscle conditions.

To learn more about Dr. Burkam and his practice, visit https://www.ohiohealth.com/locations/orthopedics/mcconnell-spine-sport-and-joint-center/

Kyle Sochacki, M.D./Team Physician

Dr. Kyle Sochacki is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in Sports Medicine. Dr. Sochacki graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland State University. He then received his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Houston Methodist Hospital earning honors as a chief resident. After residency, Dr. Sochacki completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Stanford University, which included intensive experiences in shoulder surgery (including arthroscopy, arthroplasty and tendon transfers), and elbow surgery, in addition to non-arthroplasty open and arthroscopic knee surgery.

Throughout his career, Dr. Sochacki has assisted in the care of amateur, collegiate, and professional athletes including the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Athletics, Stanford University Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball, and Rice University Baseball. He currently serves as the Team Physician for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. Dr. Sochacki is also active in research and several professional societies. He has co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on return to sport outcomes in MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL and NHL players and the clinical results of shoulder, elbow and knee surgery.