Transcription:
University of Missouri Family Medicine and Sports Medicine Expert Cares For Athletes in Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Baseball

Maggie McKay: Treating elite athletes is a very special expertise, but so is treating the community. Today we'll meet Dr. Luke Stephens with the University of Missouri Healthcare, who excels in treating both on a regular basis. Let's meet the official team physicians for Mizzou Athletics. Welcome Dr. Stephens. It's so great to have you here. Thank you for making the time. Can you please introduce yourself.

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, absolutely. So my name is Luke Stephens. I grew up in the state of Missouri. I've been here back since finishing Fellowship, which was up around Chicago. And then I currently take care of, Mizzou, baseball, volleyball, and also women's basketball teams in addition to seeing patients in my Ashland Clinic and then also at Missouri Orthopedic Institute.

Maggie McKay: that's a lot. What are all the conditions, or at least some of them that you treat, because I know it's very long list?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, no, absolutely. So, at Missouri Orthopedic Institute, I specialize in non-operative care of musculoskeletal conditions, whether that is acute or chronic. We customize our care to the sport of the athletes and we use a generous definition of the athlete, obviously. So, really anyone who is active. We're looking to maintain an activity, possibly add in additional activity whenever possible. But we'll take care of acute injuries nagging injuries chronic injuries, your recurrent injuries. So really across the spectrum. So there's not much that we say no to. Let's put it that way.

Maggie McKay: And where did you grow up?

Luke Stephens, MD: I grew up around Lake of the Ozarks. So, Lebanon, Missouri is where, my family, traces our roots to. And obviously spent a fair amount of time in Columbia during my training. And so Columbia feels like home at this point in time.

Maggie McKay: And did you grow up on a farm?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, so, definitely have those farm roots. And so, certainly speaks to the time of the day that I wake up, and then also the hours that I put in. So, this is always a tough time of the year in the winter months for all of us. But yeah, definitely grew up on a farm and enjoyed getting back to the rural setting whenever.

Maggie McKay: So good training for what was to come in your career, who knew? Did you have a specific job on the farm?

Luke Stephens, MD: We did cattle, was a majority of our farm work, and so still help my father with his cattle and we do some fescu as well, harvesting and bailing all the fun things that happened on the farm. So, definitely got my fair share of first aid management growing up on the farm, and then also on youth sports participating. And then my father was also a coach and so I was his manager during my younger years. And then obviously a player towards those later years of high school.

Maggie McKay: Like you said, you, got a lot of experience with First Aid. Do you think that helped shape your career choice?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think when you see definitely an immediate need, right for medical attention, I think that can evoke a certain response. And in my case it was always towards, help in that particular instance. And my own medical concerns, family medical concerns growing up, sparked more of a curiosity when it comes to developing science skills, math skills, and then just the ability to help other individuals regardless really of the problem.

And I think that's carried over, and so what I do today, which is to take care of patients from across the spectrum both age and injury and even medical concerns. So, absolutely the roots of kind of that farmer mentality of whatever the problem is, we're here to fix it, and sometimes that's a very specific thing and sometimes that's very generalized. But again, whatever it is, we can help with it.

Maggie McKay: So when you were working on the farm, when you were a little kid, did you ever see yourself as being a doctor? Fast forwarding?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I mean, I think, that was always for me, an aspirational goal, The focus was always, to get through school, to do excel in school, to enjoy, the activities that go along middle school, high school, those type of things. And, my, mother was my high school counselor, which I had absolutely no idea of what I wanted to do.

Until she basically told me I had to sit down and decide. And so, when that happened, I saw a pamphlet for the University of Missouri School of Medicine and said about a course to do that. So I as opposed to most physicians who know from a very early age, that medicine is what they wanted to do for me. I knew I wanted to go to college. I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge base.

Again, that curiosity led me into the sciences. And then the physician part came really from just a desire to try to help my community, in any way that was possible. And it seemed like all of those things would align towards becoming a physician. And then as I progressed into medical school, had that opportunity through the Brian's program, I was able to identify that family. was the field for me because of that broad depth. And then afterwards, sports medicine was a particular area of interest that was very close to what my interests were growing up. And I knew it was in an area that I wanted to call my career.

Maggie McKay: I love that your mom sat you down even though she was a counselor and it was her job, but, and said, decide, and you did, and here you are it was only that easy. Leave it

Luke Stephens, MD: Right. Yeah. Well, she had tried many times before. It wasn't from her, lack of trying, it was rather, my lack of decision. But it came at that point in time at which, a decision had to be made. And so she, obviously, her and my father and grandparents were very supportive and my siblings as well, so.

Maggie McKay: Nice. And speaking of sports medicine, who's your favorite baseball team?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, it's always been the Cardinals, so, it's always been the cardinals, so never wavered from that. Even, three years in Chicago only solidified my love of the Cardinals, so.

Maggie McKay: So how excited are you for 2023? Because they're projected to have a top five offense next year.

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I mean they should really do well, obviously last year a heartbreak there in the playoffs, much earlier exit than we anticipate. So, hopefully we'll get some additional off season moves here and, continue to, work on that roster and starting pitching and closing pitching and all of those things to shore some things up.

But optimistic, they seem to have a good mix of. Veteran players, certainly younger players. And then if they can tie all that together, I'm optimistic so, but I guess that's the nature of the game being any type of Missouri athletic fan. But yeah, I'm looking forward to it. My son is also likewise very, he is scrutinizing every mood that happens this off season. So that's been a fun interaction for sure.

Maggie McKay: How old is he?

Luke Stephens, MD: He's 11.

Maggie McKay: Oh, that's fun. So Dr. Stephens, after a stressful day, how do you unwind?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, definitely. So I have three children and then my wife as well. So for me, that immediate trust relief is, getting back to the house and interacting with what all happened during their day. And then, some rough housing or whatever is to be had amongst the family.

So for me, that's the best way to de-stress is to get back to those things that mean so much to me. Kind of what re stokes that fire is the family time. So that's what I enjoy the most. And then when the weather permits getting outdoors is my personal favorite, whether that's throwing the ball in the backyard.

My oldest, daughter is really enthralled in volleyball right now. So enjoying that as well. And then my, youngest daughter enjoys gymnastics, so kind of get a good, smattering of home activities and knock on wood and hadn't had to do a lot of home first aid thus far. So hopefully we can keep that at that level.

Maggie McKay: You're busy even with your free time. What fuels your passion for bringing expertise and world-class care to Mizzou's athletes?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I mean, I think being a Missouri native I love the Midwest, attitude. Very motivated individuals, very hardworking individuals. And certainly with our athletes, they have that same. Passion, and so when you see somebody who's worked so hard to get to this point, whatever you can do to further them or to get them back to what they love doing, what they excel at, I mean, that energizes me to a point, whatever I can do, to help that individual, that's what I'm gonna do.

And so, that's what I love about working at Missouri Orthopedic Institute, is we have many different specialties that all align towards that one. You which is providing the highest level of care to our athletes, to our patients, without exception.

Maggie McKay: Right. So what is the most rewarding part of what you do and what are some of the challenges?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I think the most rewarding is you get a intimate look right of athletes, and you get to see them when the lights are not on. You get to see them., all of them will have their struggles, in different aspects of it. And so, just like, making, a game-winning shot or, making, a great play you love to see when you know what they're struggling with, whether that's medically or with an orthopedic issue.

When you see 'em get back to that point of excelling or even. Overcoming that challenge, and sometimes that's not always, does not always correlate to a great reward on the field and the way that we think about it as a fan? Sometimes it's just getting back to the field. Sometimes it's getting back to the, cage it's getting back to the court to participate and just to do what they love. And especially in team sports, it's getting back into the locker room, it's getting back into the huddle, and to see them do that, you can recognize that in their eyes when you're there to be able to see it.

And for me that's as special as any trophy or award or anything else is just seeing them to get back to that level. Cause you know how much it means to them, you know? And sometimes we also caution that not all athletes define themselves by success or the sport they play in. But if that is what they would like to do, we want to help them, and that can look like many different things. So for me it's getting back to that level or even helping them after the season is over to go on to what is next in their life or what is next in their career. So, we're there for them in all aspects of that.

Maggie McKay: Do you have a mantra or a philosophy you live by?

Luke Stephens, MD: Hard work and honesty. That's the key to me is if I can do those two things every day I'll be a success. Whatever happens. So those are my principles that I always go back to in times of uncertainty. So, hard work and honesty.

Maggie McKay: So Dr. Stephens, if you're up for it, we have some quick answer questions to ask you off the top of your head.

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, absolutely. Sounds great.

Maggie McKay: Okay. If you have time to watch tv, any new series you're watching, maybe on Netflix or Amazon Prime?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I mean, again, I got three kids, so we're pretty heavy into Disney Plus. So, right now we've started the new Willow series, so, throw back to when I was a kid. So I think we're two episodes in on that. So it's fun circle back around, expose the kids to some more dated culture as they like to call it. So, that's currently what we're enjoying as a family.

Maggie McKay: And what do you hope for your children's generation?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I mean, I think, it's great to see how they approach, social issues seem to be in intertwined with everything that they do. And so I think there's a, better awareness they have about the world around them. I think more so than I recognize having as a child, it's always hard, right? Being the parent versus being the child. But I really appreciate their approach to not just their own pursuits, but the pursuit of others. And so I think, if that can continue through that generation, the world will be a better place because of it.

Maggie McKay: Any guilty pleasures food-wise?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I mean, I'm a cattle farmer, so for me a nice t-bone or porterhouse is absolutely my go-to. So I enjoy cooking for the family, grilling for the family. So for me, that's, my guilty pleasure.

Maggie McKay: What advice do you give students coming up in medicine?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah. I think the big thing is to, identify early on, what is your reason for this pursuit? Right. Because this is a long path, certainly getting into medicine, to go through undergrad and sometimes you need to do professional school, even before getting into medical school. And then on the other side of it too, residency and in my case fellowship afterwards. So, you want to know that that course is set up for you and again, what is gonna be your continued motivation. It can't just. Be short-term motivation. It has to be something that is gonna get you up, at all hours of the day.

Whatever your rotation or your study schedule, requires. So again, what is your underlying motivation? What is it truly that you're looking to give back? And is gonna get you up during those late hours? During those early hours? Because Being a physician requires that. Regardless of what your long-term goals are during training, you're gonna have some tough periods. And so you gotta make sure your goals are aligned towards that.

Maggie McKay: And with all those long hours and days how do you balance your professional and personal life? Do you have date night with your wife?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, I think, that's always a challenge, right? And certainly, with athletics and, helping with those activities, that can certainly interfere with family time as well too, to make sure. We have a good balance there. My wife is also a physician too, and so she, she understands the challenges that the job requires, and that that's a great support network. I can't thank her enough for all the support and certainly, when I'm busy, she's the one that's maintaining and vice versa.

And so, For me, it's a balance that I don't always get right, but it's something that I think, just being a natural introvert, that constant introspection about how I'm doing and also getting feedback from family and friends to see, does my time commitment align with what my life goals are. And so that's been, know, a constant point of adjustment. So, continues to be. But it's a good balance currently.

Maggie McKay: Sounds like you and your wife have good team. Between the two of you and three kids. Thank you, Dr. Stephens, for being a good sport and letting us into the life of an official team physician for Mizzou Athletics. Is there anything else you'd like people to know or take away from this conversation?

Luke Stephens, MD: No, I think again really happy to be on the program here. Happy to share some time. Definitely. I think really the overwhelming theme would just be that, Missouri Orthopedic Institute we're here. whatever your problem is, we've got a specialist who can help with that whether it be operative or non-operative, acute or chronic.

Maggie McKay: If somebody would like to get ahold of you or make an appointment or just find out more, where would they go?

Luke Stephens, MD: Yeah, the contact number, from Missouri Orthopedic Institute is, 573-884- BONE and then also the website will link you in to my additional clinic sites and you can contact, MU docs. We'll contact you to set you up for a visit and we'd love to see you and get things taken care of.

Maggie McKay: Thank you so much for your time. I know you're so busy. We really appreciate getting to know you today.

Luke Stephens, MD: Yes. Thank you.

Maggie McKay: Again, that's Dr. Luke Stephens family and sports medicine specialist at MU Healthcare. To find out more, as he said, you can go to mu health.org/team docs. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out our entire library of podcasts For topics of interest to you, thanks for joining us. I'm Maggie McKay. Be well.