James P. Bradley, MD

Dr. James P. Bradley is a globally recognized American Board-Certified Orthopedic surgeon and leader in sports medicine research and treatments. An educator and innovator, he has contributed advancements in surgical techniques and patents for medical devices. Dr. Bradley continues to support sports medicine education and research currently, as a Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In this position, he encourages and mentors Orthopedic Surgeons in their fellowships, imparting valuable medical knowledge, experience, and surgical techniques. His expert medical knowledge and experience has resulted in Dr. Bradley being published in 159 peer reviewed articles for medical journals, 57 medical textbook chapters, 22 chairmanships, 37 grand round presentations and 411 guest lecturer presentations as of 2023.

Most recently, In 2023 Dr. Bradley was awarded the George Rovere Education Award by the AOSSM. He was honored by his peers in 2022 to be inducted into the AOSSM Hall of Fame. In 2021 he was recognized by Expertscape.com as a world expert in shoulder instability for his career long research and education. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Pennsylvania State university in 2020. In 2019, Dr. Bradley was awarded the Arthur C. Rettig Award for excellence in academic research given by the National Football League Physicians Society (NFLPS) and is on the Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors of 2019. Honored in 2017, Dr. Bradley was named in the “Becker’s Spine Review: 65 Orthopedic Surgeons recommended by Orthopedic Surgeons.”

Dr. Bradley has been the president of the Herodicus society in 2010, NFL Physician’s Society, and American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) in 2020. In 2016, Orthopedics This Week’s list of top knee surgeon, “16 Standout North American Sports Knee Surgeons: 2016.” Orthopedics This Week has also named Dr. Bradley in their top list of shoulder surgeons, “20 of the Top North American Shoulder Surgeons: 2015.” Dr. Bradley was also recognized in January of 2015 by his peers as one of Becker’s Spine Review’s “Top 55 surgeons in the country.” In February of 2014 Dr. James Bradley was honored with the Jerry Hawk Rhea Award from the NFL for being a dedicated and outstanding NFL Team Physician. Over the years, Dr. Bradley has been distinguished with several national and local honors including, “America’s Top Doctors,” and “Top sports medicine specialist in the Pittsburgh region.” He is considered one of the top Sports Medicine doctors in the country, who is consistently recognized by his peers and patients. In 2013 Dr. Bradley was named one of the Top 19 U.S. Sports Medicine Specialists in the United States in Orthopedics This Week, published by RRY Publications LLC. He has also been included as one of the “65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and Specialists” in Becker’s Orthopedic, Spine, and Pain Management Review.

As of 2023, Dr. Bradley has been the Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 33 years. He has worked closely with the NFL and is a past president of the National Football League Physicians society. For three decades now Dr. Bradley has played a significant role in the lives and careers of the NFL’s most spectacular players. Since 2018 he has been a second opinion physician for the National Basketball Association (NBA) given his sports medicine expertise. He has treated thousands of athletes over his career and with his surgical talent they have returned to the sports they love. Given his passion for medicine and sports, he was invited to become part of the Herodicus Society and even served as president for a term. In addition to this work, he is currently Chairman of the National Football League’s Medical Research Peer Review Committee and also serves on the NFL injury and Safety Panel Committee. He has served as the president of the AOSSM and NFL physicians society. At a local level he also is a consultant to local high school and collegiate athletes.

Education and Medical Training

Dr. James P. Bradley graduated from Penn State University where he completed his undergraduate education. Bradley’s love for sports was cultivated in college where he served as captain of the football team. He was a standout defense back for the Penn State football team from 1971 to 1975. His efforts won him the 1975 Dapper Dan College Football award. Although he only played for them briefly, Bradley was also recruited for a trial with the NFL Cincinnati Bengals. He continued and completed his medical school training at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Bradley was then accepted into the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s residency program for Orthopedic Surgery. Upon the completion of his residency, he was accepted into the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles for a Sports Medicine Fellowship. He became a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. As stated above he is currently a Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In addition to his several publications, Dr. Bradley also has videos that are featured on the VuMedi website, which has a large number of surgical videos that surgeons in training use to learn and educate themselves of proper surgical techniques and gain valuable experience. He has led several research studies within his own practice, which has resulted in important changes and treatment options for patients. In an interview in 2008 with The Tribune Democrat in Johnstown he was quoted as saying, “…It was a blessing in disguise that I didn’t go Jack Ham’s path. Day-in and day-out, I can impact a high-performance athlete’s life. The feeling is indescribable to watch an elite athlete perform at that level. It’s that satisfying.”

Professionally he is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Orthopedic Association, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society, the Twentieth-Century Orthopedic Association, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, of which he is also a board member.

Personal Life

Dr. James P. Bradley was born in Washington D.C., United States. He was raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and is the oldest of seven children. He graduated from Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, PA in 1971, where he played football and achieved all-state honors. Before he was a well renowned surgeon, he was an All-American athlete, captain of the Nittany Lions while at Penn State from 1971-1975, and briefly played NFL football. He currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA. Bradley and his wife, Bea, have one daughter, Callee, and son-in-law, Skye Edwards. He is affectionately called “Jim” among his close friends, family and peers. When he is not on the sidelines at an event, you can find him on the golf course perfecting his swing.

Athletic Family Legacy

His father, Sam Bradley, played basketball for the University of Pittsburgh and his younger brothers Tom and Matt both played for the Nittany Lions from 1975 to 1978 and 1979 to 1981, respectively. Tom was the longtime Defense Coordinator at Penn State and is currently a broadcaster for CBS Sports. Bradley’s nephew, Jim Kanuch, also played receiver at Penn State. His two sisters, Patty and Cassy were outstanding All-American track athletes at Villanova. In 2008 Dr. Bradley joined his brother, Tom Bradley and sister, Patty Bradley-Marino into the Cambria county Sports Hall of Fame.

Additional Links :

 

Master Surgeon
http://www.mastersurgeon.com/user/300

 

Release from Bengals opened world of medicine to Bradley
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/localsports/x519168880/Release-from-Bengals-opened-world-of-medicine-to-Bradley#content

 

Penn State’s Next Coach?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/22/SPPD13MO0I.DTL

 

Most Compassionate Award Link
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patients-honor-dr-james-bradley-for-compassion-202430771.html

 

Lions can count on “Scrap”
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/sports/ci_6782907

 

Tribune-Democrat.com
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/localsports/x519168880/Release-from-Bengals-opened-world-of-medicine-to-Bradley#content

 

Pittsburgh steelers front office
http://www.steelers.com/team/front-office.html

 

Patients Honor Dr. James Bradley for Compassion
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patients-honor-dr-james-bradley-for-compassion-202430771.html

 

2011 Top doctors
http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/Health-and-Wellness/2011-Top-Doctors/index.php/name/James-P-Bradley-MD/listing/36177/

 

Steelers team doctor wins NFL honor
http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-team-doctor-wins-NFL-honor/3561a16d-0d6a-4a49-aa00-22f371d9737a

 

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