Campbell Clinic keeps Memphis Tigers partnership, names new head team physician

Campbell Clinic is continuing its sports medicine partnership with University of Memphis Tigers Athletics and has named Dr. Frederick M. Azar as head team physician. The move keeps a long-running medical relationship in place for student-athletes while adding new leadership alongside two other Campbell Clinic physicians.

Why it matters: - The appointment extends a decadeslong medical partnership between Campbell Clinic and University of Memphis Tigers Athletics. - Dr. Frederick M. Azar will help guide care for student-athletes with a focus on injury prevention, treatment and safe return to play. - The move keeps experienced orthopaedic and sports medicine coverage in place for Tigers Athletics.

What happened: - Campbell Clinic announced it is continuing its partnership with University of Memphis Tigers Athletics and named Dr. Frederick M. Azar as head team physician. - Dr. Azar succeeds Campbell Clinic’s Dr. Barry Phillips, who has served the university and its student-athletes for 39 years. - Dr. Azar will work with Campbell Clinic partners Dr. Austin T. Hardaway and Dr. J. Houston Dove, who will also serve as team physicians.

The details: - Dr. Azar has provided team physician coverage for University of Memphis Athletics for more than three decades. - Dr. Azar has also spent more than 25 seasons with the NBA. - At Campbell Clinic, Dr. Azar previously served as chief of staff. - Dr. Azar currently serves as the Harold B. Boyd Professor and Chair of the University of Tennessee Health Science - Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering. - Dr. Azar is also the director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. - His leadership roles include service as president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and senior director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. - Campbell Clinic said its sports medicine team has decades of experience caring for athletes from youth leagues to collegiate and professional sports. - Campbell Clinic has provided orthopaedic care, advanced surgical techniques, rehabilitation services and on-field medical coverage for Tigers Athletics. - Campbell Clinic was founded in 1909 by the late Willis C. Campbell, M.D. - The clinic operates 30 locations in the Southeast. - Campbell Clinic says it has 140+ providers and more than 1,200 employees. - The clinic says it is a national and international leader in orthopaedics. - Campbell Clinic offers care across sports medicine, hip, knee, spine, shoulder and elbow, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, orthopaedic oncology, orthopaedic trauma, pediatric orthopaedics, general orthopaedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and urgent ortho care. - More information is available at Campbell Clinic's website. - Campbell Clinic also shared social media links for LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

Between the lines: - The leadership change appears designed to preserve continuity rather than reset the program. - Dr. Azar’s long history with the university and his NBA background signal a high level of experience for a visible campus role. - Campbell Clinic is using the announcement to reinforce its broader regional footprint and orthopaedic brand.

What's next: - Dr. Azar, Dr. Hardaway and Dr. Dove will continue serving Tigers student-athletes as the season moves forward. - Campbell Clinic said it remains committed to advancing sports medicine and supporting student-athletes on and off the field. - The partnership is expected to continue delivering orthopaedic care and athletic medical coverage for University of Memphis programs.

The bottom line: - The University of Memphis is keeping a familiar medical team in place, with Dr. Azar stepping into the top role after decades of service to Tigers Athletics.