- Robert Kerlan
Robert K. Kerlan ( [May 13] , [1922] – [September 8] , [1996] ) was an [United States|American] [Orthopedic surgery|orthopedic surgeon] and the co-founder, along with Dr. [Frank Jobe] , of the
Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic . Kerlan was the [Los Angeles Dodgers] ' first team doctor after their move from [Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn] to [Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles] in 1958, and diagnosed Dodgers pitcher [Sandy Koufax] with traumatic [arthritis] in his left elbow.Kerlan died in [Santa Monica, California] at age 74.Robert K. Kerlan, Sports Physician, 74
Published: Los Angeles Times Obituary September 9, 1996
Kerlan, a prominent orthopedic surgeon who became a pioneer in sports medicine, died today. He was 74.
Kerlan, former team physician to the Los Angeles Rams, Lakers and Dodgers, died of pneumonia at St. John's Hospital. He had been unable to practice medicine since March 1994, when he underwent heart bypass surgery after a hip replacement, said his daughter Kim Higgins.
Kerlan, a native of Aitken, Minn., moved to Los Angeles to play basketball for U.C.L.A., then transferred to Southern California. A graduate of U.S.C. and its School of Medicine, he began volunteering as a team physician with schools and colleges in the Los Angeles area in the early 1950's.
He joined the medical staff of the Dodgers when they moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. He was joined in 1965 by Dr. Frank Jobe, and their thriving sports medicine practice drew athletes from around the country.
He was a founding member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, a clinical professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the U.S.C. School of Medicine and a past president of both the National Basketball Association Team Physicians and the National Football League Physicians Society.
The doctor also treated jockeys who raced at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and Del Mar.
In addition to his daughter Kim, Kerlan is survived by his wife, Rachel, his daughter Kerry Cline, his son, Robert K. Kerlan Jr., and 10 grandchildren.
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