Andy Peterson ’00, MD MSPH, Head Team Physician, Iowa Hawkeyes
I grew up in rural Northwestern WI with a love for athletics, but was also academically ambitious. I chose LU because it was the best academic school where I could compete on the varsity wrestling team. I majored in Biology and spent lots of time in the Arts Center focusing on metal work. I competed in wrestling and spent much of my “free time” getting better at the sport. But I also participated in a variety of volunteer activities, off-campus research, and was President of LUCC.
During Medical School in Madison, WI mentors introduced me to academic Sports Medicine, a field I didn’t know existed. They guided me through residency in Pediatrics, a fellowship in Sports Medicine, an NIH fellowship in clinical research, and a Master’s Degree in Population Health Science. I also married Vanessa Curtis ’00 who was in my Medical School class.
In 2010, I was part of a cluster hire to build an academic Sports Medicine Division at Iowa and Vanessa had the opportunity to build a Pediatric Obesity program. Initially, I practiced a mix of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, newborn nursery, and Sports Medicine (including coverage of Iowa Hawkeye Athletics). I also served as a Team Physician for USA waterpolo and traveled all over the world with Team USA. This led to the opportunity to be the Medical Director for the 2012 Olympic Wresting trials and do additional training at the US Olympic Training Center. In 2015, I took over leadership of the Primary Care Sports Medicine division. I’m also Head Physician for the Iowa Hawkeyes & I serve as a Team Physician for USA Wrestling. I was elected to the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness Executive Committee and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine’s Board of Directors. I also lead a Collaborative Research Network that helps Sports Medicine researchers work together on complementary projects.
I believe there is a direct line between my experiences at Lawrence and the success I have had since graduation. Obviously, I appreciate the excellent, well-rounded education that Lawrence provides. But the lessens I learned through collegiate athletics and student government leadership are what really prepared me for my current roles.