BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine announces Matthew Heller, DO completed the Sports Medicine Fellowship.
“Dr. Heller came to Campbell’s Sports Medicine Fellowship from Central Long Island, New York,” said Dr. Andrew Martin, director of sports medicine at Campbell. “A graduate of NYITCOM, he completed his family medicine residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York. Now, he returns to his alma mater to share his passion for medicine with the next generation of physicians.”
Dr. Michael Mahalik, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, and Dr. Martin both spoke of Dr. Heller’s passion for medicine and athletics as they presented his certificate.
“Dr. Heller has a passion for sports and he loves medicine,” said Mahalik. “It’s a combination that just works and that’s why he is an excellent physician.”
“In addition to teaching and caring for patients in the clinic, he is at a sporting event each week including boxing events off campus,” said Martin. “His office is full of sports memorabilia including a poster signed by athletes from all 11 schools who came to Buies Creek for the Big South Basketball Tournament this year.”
In the two primary aspects of the Sports Medicine Fellowship, treating Campbell University athletes in the University Health Center and on the playing fields, fellows work alongside university athletic trainers.
“Dr. Heller was a great addition to our sports medicine team and will be missed,” said Jackie Knight, head athletic trainer for Campbell Athletics. “His enthusiasm for Campbell Athletics truly showed in everything he did. On behalf of the athletic training department, I want to thank him for his time and effort and wish him well in the future!”
Beyond treating patients at the University Health Center, caring for Campbell Athletes, and volunteering at the Campbell Community Care Clinic, Dr. Heller provided physician care at other area sporting events including the Beach to Battleship Triathlon in Wilmington, Fort Liberty Marathon, and the NCAA D-1 Women’s Soccer Final Four Championship in Cary, Raleigh Iron Man, and Raleigh Rock and Roll Marathon. He will continue providing medical services at local events like these and continue his involvement with USA Boxing as a Physician Member. Being active in his community includes continuing to serve as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical services personnel.
In addition to serving the community, fellows participate in research and teaching. Dr. Heller presented research and case presentations at national and regional conferences including VCOM, AOASM, and ACSM, and supported the CUSOM Sports Medicine club in hosting the AOASM South Eastern Student Conference. His teaching responsibilities rested primarily in teaching osteopathic manipulative medicine as part of the fellowship program.
“Dr. Heller was a pleasure to work with,” Dr. Lisa Chun, chair of osteopathic manipulative medicine. “His focus was clearly the students – his desire to further their education was apparent. His prior training and medical knowledge was appreciated and added to the interactive nature and camaraderie of the OMM lab experience for the students and faculty. Always very approachable, knowledgeable and willing to share stories, he helped make learning fun and showed by example that what they were trying to learn was attainable. His insights as a faculty member were valued by his colleagues and his contributions more than his humility will accept.”
Dr. Heller will serve NYITCOM as a faculty member and as a Team Physician for NYIT and other local schools.
“I thank the good Lord for making me a DO,” said Heller. “I’d like to thank everyone I worked with here including the students. Being part of a new program is a lot of work – it takes team work – if you build bridges as you go, you will go a long way.”
The sports medicine fellowship welcomes the next Campbell Fellows in July – Dr. Philip Hoffman and Dr. Ryan Hudson.