Michael Fredericson (academic)

Michael Fredericson (born 1959) is an American academic and physician. He currently serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery and the director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Sports Medicine within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University. He is also the co-director of the Stanford Longevity Center.

Early life and education
Born in 1959, Fredericson grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Russia and Poland.

Fredericson graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1977 and then earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of Redlands in California, in 1982, and later, his MD from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, in 1988. He then completed an internship at Mount Zion Medical Center in California in 1989.

In 1992, Fredericson completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Stanford University. A year later, he received board certification in physical medicine and rehab from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The same year, he completed a fellowship in sports and spine medicine at SOAR in Menlo Park, California.

In 1996, Fredericson was awarded diplomate status from the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine in Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He obtained a sub-specialty certification in sports medicine from the American Board of PM&R in 2007, along with a board certification in sports medicine from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

In 2020, he was board certified in lifestyle medicine by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.

Career
Fredericson is the first physician to be promoted to Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Stanford University. He currently serves as the Director of PM&R Sports Medicine within Stanford's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, co-director of the Stanford Longevity Center, and founder of the Stanford University's lifestyle medicine program. He is also the head team physician for Stanford University's track & field and swimming teams and medical director for Stanford Club Sports.

At Stanford, Fredericson initiated the first ACGME Sports Medicine Fellowship and continues as its Fellowship Director. He established several programs at Stanford, including PM&R services at the Stanford Cardinal Free Clinics, courses in lifestyle medicine and sports medicine, the Stanford RunSafe Injury Prevention Program, and a global research fellowship in sports medicine.

During his career, Fredericson has worked with USA Track & Field and the International Olympic Committee, contributing to both national and international sports medicine initiatives. In 2006, he was appointed as the head physician for the USA Track & Field Team at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics.

In 2009, Fredericson served as a visiting professor at Harvard University's Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R).

In 2021, Fredericson served as a physician for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, working under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee.

His editorial roles have included serving as the senior founding editor of PM&R, associate editor of the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, and editorial board member of The Physician and Sportsmedicine.

Selected publications
To date, Fredericson has published a total of 215 peer-reviewed publications, 4 books, and 40 book chapters.

Awards and recognition

 * Phi Beta Kappa National Collegiate Honor Society (1982)
 * Alpha Omega Alpha (Junior Year)
 * National Medical Honor Society (2003)
 * Jose C. Montero, MD, Excellence in Teaching Award Stanford PM&R Residency Program
 * Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine (2003)
 * Excellence in Musculoskeletal Med Award, Kessler Institute and Univ of Med, New Jersey Med School (2007)
 * Jerome Gersten, MD, Memorial Lectureship, University of Colorado Department of PM&R (2010)
 * Best Musculoskeletal Research Award, American Academy of PM&R (2011)
 * Physiatric Assoc of Spine, Sports & Occupational Rehabilitation (PASSOR) Mid-Career Achievement Award, American Academy of PM&R (2011)
 * James D. Thompson MD, Humanitarian Award, Stanford PM&R Residency Program (2011)
 * Nadler Research Award, Foundation of PM&R (2015–16)
 * Clinical Research Grant Award, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (2018–19)
 * Distinguished Member Award, American Academy of PM&R (2023)